July 2016 Babies (8) - 3rd trimester here we come

[Ellizardo]

Hoping this works as total techno-luddite! Happy Saturdays all.

Hi all! I've had so much to catch up on. Sorry for being quiet, I've been finding it really difficult with my commute and I'm exhausted when I make it back home at the end of the week. Definitely in countdown mode...38 days until my last trip to London and 59 days left in work!

Primary noodle - lovely scan pic!

Puzzle & beautician - thanks for sharing the bump pics, I love comparing everyone's bumps! Will add my pic to this post.

Beautician - I had been wondering the same about the GTT! The midwife has never mentioned it in Cardiff. I haven't told my London midwife that I'm not giving birth there yet (and it's been helpful to have a record at the hospital while I'm still working) and they booked me for a mini GTT next week. It's funny how it varies across the country. I've only seen the London midwife twice and the Cardiff midwife about 5 times (despite the fact I didn't register with her until 16 weeks!)

Anna & lulabells - congratulations on your mortgage offers! It seems like a lot of us are getting new places ahead of the new arrivals. I've been in my new flat for nearly 8 weeks now.

Kangaroo - welcome to the thread! I'm expecting my first baby, a little boy.

Loopy - didn't realise we were due date buddies! I feel quite behind everyone else on here, going to be so jealous when the early July babies arrive!

Mar - I'm so glad things are okay with you and you're getting some flutters. I've been thinking of you.

Thom - what did your OH think of the Welsh name suggestions? Let me know if you need anymore and I can rack my brains / think of names from my school days

Tams - I'm also in the boob stretch mark club. There seems to be a little sag going on too which is v depressing! I've been using bio oil all the way through but recently switched to emu oil (got it off amazon). I've noticed an improvement and it's really been helping with other nipple annoyances I've been having...!!

Thought I'd share with you all a bump pic at 26 + 2 and the latest addition to the baby's room. My friend and I built it together on Sunday, felt very smug for tackling IKEA head on!

26 + 4

Fifi, I think there are a couple of us bringing up the rear. What I think is strange is how new our littles will be when the rest of the J16 crew will have mastered the mum thing lol.

I am always looking for tips for the bag but I am still planning on two bags. It helps me organise my stuff. The first bag will be for labour and the other with stuff for after the baby has arrived.

Loopy yes I definitely agree it makes sense to have two bags for hospital - much easier to organise if mother's stuff is separate from the baby's.

I'm trying to decide which changing bag to buy. Ideally I'd like one that can be worn on two shoulders (back-pack style) because I think I might be out and about with a carrier (rather than a pram) quite a lot, so if I've got the baby in my front I'd like the bag on my back rather than one shoulder.
Anyone got any recommendations? My friend strongly recommended the Pacapod, which looks really great, but I've checked online and their back-pack version gets bad reviews.
I'd welcome any recommendations! Thanks.

Fifi - how come you're still seeing the midwife in London too? Doesn't it get confusing?! I find it enough to cope with already, with just one set of appointments!

Puzzle - glad you've got your work deal sorted at last!

After reading what Puzzle and others said about Braxton Hicks and doing some googling, I've just realised that's what I've been experiencing! I'd assumed it was just the baby somehow pressing up against my tummy! It's been happening several times a day lately, especially when I do anything vaguely active. Really weird sensation, but quite nice too.

I ran to work this morning and, just as I was going past Kensington Palace, I got momentarily overtaken by a 3-4 year old! I know I'm slow now, but harrumph! Cheeky little nipper!

27+6
46 working days til Mat Leave (but at least 5 of those are half-days)

Loopy yes I definitely agree it makes sense to have two bags for hospital - much easier to organise if mother's stuff is separate from the baby's.

I'm trying to decide which changing bag to buy. Ideally I'd like one that can be worn on two shoulders (back-pack style) because I think I might be out and about with a carrier (rather than a pram) quite a lot, so if I've got the baby in my front I'd like the bag on my back rather than one shoulder.
Anyone got any recommendations? My friend strongly recommended the Pacapod, which looks really great, but I've checked online and their back-pack version gets bad reviews.
I'd welcome any recommendations! Thanks.

Fifi - how come you're still seeing the midwife in London too? Doesn't it get confusing?! I find it enough to cope with already, with just one set of appointments!

Puzzle - glad you've got your work deal sorted at last!

After reading what Puzzle and others said about Braxton Hicks and doing some googling, I've just realised that's what I've been experiencing! I'd assumed it was just the baby somehow pressing up against my tummy! It's been happening several times a day lately, especially when I do anything vaguely active. Really weird sensation, but quite nice too.

I ran to work this morning and, just as I was going past Kensington Palace, I got momentarily overtaken by a 3-4 year old! I know I'm slow now, but harrumph! Cheeky little nipper!

27+6
46 working days til Mat Leave (but at least 5 of those are half-days)

Oh meant to say, Mar, so glad things are going better for you now.

Bel ha ha, my DH keeps calling me Fatty! On a couple of occasions he's done it in front of bystanders who looked very shocked and indignant on my behalf!

Had a nice baby day today felt a bit of a stronger kick spent a lot of today organising baby nursery and my hospital bag thank u all for the recommendations I have gone with a small wheeled case from Argos my dh will pick it up tomorrow after the scan.

Hope your all ok and was just wondering what everyone's thoughts were on a breastfeeding pillow? I don't want a lot of stuff I don't need but kind of really want one too as its my first time can anyone share their experiences x

Fifi Neat bump! Not sure if you ever saw my really interesting car seat post, but it may all be a moot point with iSize being the most up to date safety benchmark; iSize won't fit older cars.

Mar that's great that you're feeling a bit more movement, hooray! I had a feeding pillow that was lent to me, it's Australian called a 'Milk Bar' and I used it for most of the 22m I bf for. It's small and easy to hold and was especially helpful in the early days when they can be there for ages.

I used a little carry-on wheelie case for my hosp bag last time. I will do the same again this time I think. Possibly with what I've been using as a changing bag for DD for the new baby.

Puzzle how is your SPD?

julfin running?! I can barely walk up the bloody stairs at times! Good on you! Changing bag-wise, I did loads of research and I was after a backpack too, as I carted DD nearly all the time in an Ergo until I got too pregnant this time. The Pacapod backpack was really uncomfortable. I loved the internal compartments and the look but it was too big and square to fit in my CityMini basket and the thin straps weren't good for carrying it. I did contemplate buying the innards for using in another bag but never got round to it. I have been -still am- using a pretty ugly but massively comfy and functional Jansport rucsac which has enough compartments for nappy stuff, my wallet etc, clothing/puddlesuit/giant muslin (doubles as massive cover-all bib or changing mat), room for shopping and outside mesh pockets for water bottle/baby cup/snacks/umbrella etc. It's been brillIant. But yannow. It's also Peppa pink and could take out a fully grown adult or a shelf of baked beans in Sainsbury's if I turn round too quick In months of online research I couldn't find a single backpack one that ticked all my boxes!

Had a consultant appt today, as I'm over the hill and they like to keep an eye on you these days (change in policy from first child but not complaining). Had a growth scan and all seems to be on track, although the person I saw was a registrar not a consultant and having told me she wasn't a fetal medicine specialist, proceeded to fumble about alarmingly with the ultrasound machine. So I'm assuming all really is ok! I had a possible anomaly (sliver of possible fluid on baby's chest wall) show up on my 20w scan and one of the reasons I was happy to have these extra appts was so they could check it again and see if it was anything/still there. She said she couldn't see anything but it wasn't quite the categorical answer I hoped for. Never mind, I have another one at 32w, maybe I'll win in consultant bingo next time!

Oh and baby is breech, which is no surprise seeing as it's been booting me in the bladder for a while. Apparently it's not a concern for a few more weeks, according to the medical world Consultant Google

AND I had a trace of protein in my wee which has never happened before. But I think I wasn't helping myself because I had only had one drink today and apparently dehydration doesn't help.

Bluebell how many hexagons have you got left to do?! I still haven't bloody started the blanket. Although I have finished a summer cardi for DD that is a bit small just fits because I started it about a year ago!!!

I'm sure I've forgotten loads I was going to say but I guess I should go to sleep now. Got Lucozade pre-GTT tomor, plus bloods and whooping cough jab.

Night!

dats 28+1

fifi your bump is just so cute and neat!

julfin that's very impressive on the running front. I can jog for like 10 seconds and something either hurts or I think I'm going to wee myself well done you!! I had a friend who had a normal pacapod which she recommended.

*jul

julfin changing bag wise, I've just got the Forma bag from Skip Hop, which is a rucksack style which can be clipped to a pushchair as well. I've started using it as a daybag with DC1 to get used to it, and I'm finding it comfy so far. It's very spacious.

Hello ladies, was sent this on Twitter and wanted to share with anyone who is interested? No affiliation to the BBC at all, Im a blogger so occasionally get sent stuff things/info to share. My husband would we mortified if I signed him up to do this but still thought it was worth sharing with you lovely ladies!

Ps Fifi sweet bump and love your cot too! :-)

Dats- its still quite bad, hoping the exercises start to help soon!!

We have reached 29 weeks!! Almost in the single figures to counting down the weeks!! was getting worried yesterday and during the night about movements, but hes been quite active this morning I also have midwife in an hour so we will see how Im measuring and also results of GTT test!! Nerve racking but after not receiving a phone call yesterday, things seem to be all good fingers crossed!

fifi you're looking great! Your commute sounds exhausting
mar glad you're having more movement be interested to see what people say re bf pillow too. I think they would be a good support when your arms are tired.
puzzle let us know how you get on at your appointment!

Getting very nervous for my GTT on Friday and not looking forward to 14+ hours with no food!
I did a big clear out on Sunday, 4 hours and 4 bin bags. Still loads to do! My back, tummy etc were killing me, seem to have had an energy boost the past week though.
Planning to decorate the nursery & build furniture etc at the end of May and pack hospital bag then too, there's quite a lot I need to buy for it and don't think I'll have time before then.
My ribs on my left hand side have started to hurt after sitting down for a while, I've found facing a wall and placing my hands on it high up while walking my feet backwards helps a lot (even if I look mental)

27+4

Hello all! I'm doing an awful job of keeping up with you - sorry!

Grateful to see all those tips on hospital bags. I need to get a shift on with that.

Off to the diabetic clinic again this afternoon: joys. I'm now on one tablet of metformin a day to try and control my fasting blood sugars, but so far it doesn't seem to be making much difference so we will see what they have to say about it!

Passed my GTT however Im borderline anaemic so gotta up my intake of iron in my diet! Was 142 now gone down to 116 and its below 110 that is classed as anaemia. Little man is breech and has a strong heartbeat and measuring 30cm (fundus height)! Seems as though appointments are every 2 weeks now so its getting a bit more real!!

Hi ladies I am again playing catch up as you lot have been busy chatting away. My focus has been on getting this last show done with. I am flying to Scotland tomorrow and oping a stage for a weekend festival. Hope the domestic flight is ready for a giant grape with legs. This pregnancy I swear I am twice the size.

Hospital bag last time I took a suitcase and it was mainly filled with a few pairs of PJ bottoms, post birth nappies for me, lots of pads, witch hazel, socks, flip flops, slippers, massive pants, dressing gown, prenat vitamins, traditional shower stuff, towel, breast feeding pillow, breast feeding top and jeans for hometime, birth ball, hynobirthing cds, little pots of oats to add water to, so many bottles of water.

Nappy bag I was quite addicted to my yummymummy one as it could take a beating. When my DD started walking I quickly swapped to a cheap rucksack off amazon and still use it. I liked the waterproofness in the early days with the yummymummy. Anythings wipeable in the first few months is a blessing because if it isn't sick then its drool or snot.

Cookiesandcoffee I know what you mean about the yoga I feel like a house.

dats later on have a look at spinningbabies on google, had to hang upside down on the sofa last time around 34 weeks onwards :)

I have a bf pillow that's also a sleep pillow. I suppose it was useful in the early days with DD but a couple of normal pillows worked as well so you could always try that before buying a special pillow.

Fifi. Your bump is so cute. I have just noticed how big my thighs have got. I am trying not to let it get to me. But it is hard. I am only 26+5 weeks.

photog good luck with your show and flight - grape made me chuckle! Thank you - I will definitely be checking out spinning babies if this little sitting-up one doesn't budge! I've had a look before but it didn't really mean much when I didn't think I'd need it! Hope it spins, sharpish!

GoingLoopy if we posted thigh pics I would definitely win! It's so depressing! However, I have just eaten some ice cream. And a Wispa.

Puzzle congrats on passing your GTT!

YouAndMe how did you get on at the diabetes clinic? Have you got a new strategy?

Had my bloods/whooping cough/Lucozade test today and now have a very dead arm although she did a brill job of both at the time. I can't remember when or how I get the result but I have midwife next week so I can ask then.

Anyone else watching One Born?

puzzle glad your results were good but sorry to hear about your iron levels. It's really quite common though.

youandme hope you got on ok at the diabetic clinic. Hope those sugar levels can sort themselves out for you.

photographer I've no idea how you're doing all that! Hats off to you, I can't imagine flying and that work load. I hope you've got some rest time once it's all over!

Watching One Born and bouncing on my yoga ball. In other news my boobs are killing me. Like an engorgement pain. All I want to do is squeeze them to relieve it any tips? I tried a warm flannel but didn't help

Had my midwife appointment and all is well. Measuring 31 weeks at 30 but I'll take that as I'm pretty sure it was more like 35 last two pregnancies. Baby is head down! And confirmed the leg position as to where I felt a foot under my right rib yesterday!

Ooof guys, I've been managing to read but not to post!

Beautician, Fifi, great bump pics! My dad requested one from me today (he lives in another country so I haven't seen him at all during the time I've been pregnant) - I must remember to take one!

Bel glad to hear that some people's heirloom Moses baskets come with new mattresses . I finally won that argument, by the way - I got a Moses basket from a friend instead of the ancient wicker one (sister-in-law told me that when her baby slept in it, the creaky wicker kept waking him up!), and I am off to Mothercare this week to get a new mattress for it.

Mar so glad that things are looking up for you. Book in that massage - sounds like you need it!!!

Beautician I am definitely peeing more. Daytime peeing mostly. It's got to the point where I have to plan out where my next toilet is... Eek!

Cookies I've not got on the scales for about five or six weeks. I will be interested to know how heavy I am towards the end of pregnancy though, so I should definitely check it out! Apparently the baby weighs 3.5 lbs at this point (31 weeks) - good to remember that a good whack of your weight is baby, amniotic fluid, placenta, boobs and water retention!

julfin I am also having changing bag dilemmas. Think I am going to have to grit my teeth and go to a shopping centre this week, as I just can't get a good enough idea of size / quality online. I'm not really a 'bag' person but I do feel I need to put the effort into choosing a good one! Speak I will look at the Forma one; thanks for the rec.

dats too bloody many hexagons left, that's what!!! At least 30 to go. I am nearly halfway though, I think. And I have a week's holiday next month with the family, where they are all planning on doing a lot of walking - so I think I will be doing a lot of hanging out at the holiday cottage and crocheting. Hope you get a decent consultant next time - if they were worried about the chest they would have investigated more, faster.

Puzzle hooray for your GTT results!

I'm just waiting for some cookies and cakes to finish baking because it's my last day at one of my jobs tomorrow. Time has flown since I started that job in January! I definitely picked the right week of pregnancy to finish my contract, too - I don't think I could have done that mega commute for much longer.

Had a rubbish night's sleep last night. I couldn't get comfy no matter which side I slept on, and turning over was a bloody military operation every time! I felt a bit breathless, too, and DH was cuddling in to my side of the bed which made me feel even more claustrophobic and trapped - I had to wake him up twice to ask him to shift over! Then the baby decided to have a rave on both sides of my bump at once, and wouldn't let up! By 5.30am I was almost in tears, I was so desperate to sleep! I considered just getting up, but the house was so cold that I didn't want to. Ended up having a nap at 11am today because I was a walking zombie...

I'm considering getting one of those enormous overpriced pregnancy pillows in order to retain my sanity for the next nine weeks - does anyone else have one? Are they any good?

Can't remember who it was who found a dark dot on their areola, but I've now got one too! Going to ring the GP tomorrow as I am paranoid.

31 weeks today... Where is the time going?!

Bluebell, I had a similar sleeping experience the other night. Absolutely miserable. DH ordered a pregnancy pillow for me yesterday after watching me suffer. Big points he's racking up at the moment. I'll let you know if the pillow is worth the investment.

27+6

I have a big snake pillow. It wraps around you when sleeping on your side, supporting your bump at the front and stopping you rolling on your back. It can be used for breastfeeding when the baby comes and also comes with a zip insert so you can stick the baby in it too. I love it!

Been managing to keep up with reading but not posting while I've been away. On our summer holiday at the moment and it's hovering around freezing and snowed yesterday Lovely to be away though.

julfin running? How on earth are you doing that? I gave up on chasing the bus more than 20m a while ago haha.

mar glad things have been looking up for you. Hope you keep getting movements and the monitoring is putting your mind at ease as much as possible.

fifi lovely pics! You have a beautifully neat bump.

dats hope you manage to see somebody who seems a bit more with it next time. If they were concerned about the chest wall before they'd probably have had a closer look into it wouldn't they?

jem thanks for the bbc thing. Not for us but would be curious to see the programme when it's aired.

youandme sorry to hear that fasting sugars aren't behaving themselves. Do you know what the next step would be?

missing congratulations on your gtt pass. Sorry to hear about the anaemia though. Sure you've got it in hand but have you tried spatone? Not cheap but my friend swears by it. It's a liquid rather than more pills too.

beautician yep I'm weeing more too (mainly in the day so far) but have been worried about where the toilets will be when we're out exploring on holiday.

bluebell I'm definitely sleeping less. I've been ok going to sleep but am waking much earlier. It's been worse the last two nights in the holiday cottage too. I was awake at 2am yesterday and didn't sleep much after that. I tried using an extra normal pillow a couple of weeks ago (under my bump and between my legs) but didn't get on with it. Lots of people seem to love the body pillow things though.

Thanks for all the hospital bag tips. Need to get moving on that soon but want the nursery finished first so I've got a better idea of what we've got. Cotbed is arriving next week so should have a better idea then.

We've gone for the Bababing paternity bag as a changing bag (dh chose it because he thought all the others were too girly). No idea what it will be like in practice but it looks roomy. It's only a satchel one though not a rucksack.

At what point do we need to think about hanging upside down to try to turn the baby? I was told ours was breech at the last appointment (28 weeks) and don't think it's turned on its own yet because the few movements I am getting feel the same. Not feeling lots though as its facing my spine.

Sorry for the essay!