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

[Ellizardo]

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

juflin well done on running!! Last pregnancy I was spinning and swimming lots up to about 35 weeks but have no energy this time round so have done bugger all! Although weight gain is a lot less oddly. But keep it up while you can. I read the fitter you are the easier you labour so that kept me going.

missing fab news on passing. I'm sorry to all those who are not getting the same result. It seems so many of you are tested. I've never had it mentioned but two of my best friends had the test too.

bluebell the pregnancy pillows are fab! They are pricey but they really help so well worth it. I'm afraid sleep can be a bit hit and miss the further you go on but just rest or nap when you can in the day. I think it's how you prepare yourself for the newborn bit.

beautician if I don't pee before I walk around anywhere I think I'm going to wet myself. I reckon baby head must be down as the pressure is awful! Am trying to not too drink too much before bed as I wake up with pain as I need to go so much. I also peed myself sneezing this week. Such a gorgeous time to be a woman

tams hope you're having a nice break despite the cold! Just drink some hot choc to warm you up! Where have you gone?

DD sleep is crap so I've decided to get a sleep expert onboard! Speaking this afternoon. I can't remember who used one but thank you for giving me the push to do it. I think I'm worried of it doesn't work we are screwed! I've got my brothers wedding this weekend so have a haul from ASOS to try on today to hope I look ok! It's mainly the shoes. I love heels so going to grin and bear them for the ceremony and meal then put uggs on

I'm def bringing up the rear only 26+3!

Well, you've all been so busy and productive! It's hard to keep up :)

Re changing bags. I scoffed and got annoyed that you need a specific bag for this - but actually they do all look really good and there is a great choice out there.

When on holiday a while back I ended up buying a lulu lemon bag that transforms from one shoulder to backpack. It looks very neutral so DH can use it too, and inside there are lots of zippy pockets, netted pockets, bottle space, a dirty/wet bag for swimming things (dirty clothes, nappies, cloths, etc) and the strap will easily fit around the buggy/pram. Mostly, I really liked it, and it will have lots of uses not just for baby. And it was cheaper than a baby change bag.

In other news, I've made a puff quilt... And have enjoyed my foray into sewing projects so much I plan to make a small baby quilt I've seen which you can add ribbon loops and zigzag loops so in the future lots of texture/sucking/grabbing interest. But I do now have a Pinterest habit, and a library of knitted possibilities.... Better get in with real life instead of just reading about it!

Anyway. Nearly over the middle of the week, hope you are all enjoying it so far...

28+6

Bluebell I've got the theraline pillow, I've only been using it for the last 2 weeks wish I had used it sooner it's fab! So comfortable use it to sleep and on the sofa watching TV too

tams hope you're enjoying your break! just checked out your paternity bag it's lovely! May get that for hubby as haven't liked the ones I've seen much

juflin can't believe your running - amazing!!

lucia that is the cutest puff quilt!

My bump pic attached

29+5

It went OK yesterday: the diabetes consultant was pleased with my levels generally and said I obviously have good control. As for the fasting ones, he wasn't concerned as they are borderline and metformin takes a little while to kick in, but if they don't start to lower then the next step will be to up the dose a bit, as I'm on the lowest at the moment. I'm going to keep an eye and phone them if things don't improve soon - I don't have to go back for two weeks now.

Bump is measuring slightly ahead, but not too much. Will probably be having a growth scan at 34 weeks. The obstetrician said that if I continue on metformin only, and everything seems OK, they would want me to go for induction between 39 and 40 weeks. I think I can live with that, although I'd rather go into labour myself obviously!

In any case, not too much longer to go now. One of my friends had her first baby yesterday and I'm really jealous - I wish it was time for mine!

anna we've rented a cottage in north Northumberland. It's beautiful here - and a lot sunnier today. Just had a shock yesterday at how wintery it was. We did end up using that as an excuse for a hot choc stop. Stopping off with mil on the way home as it's the last time we'll see dh's grandpa for a while. It's too far for him to travel down to South Wales.

lucia that puff quilt is so cool. Looks really cozy! We seem to have lots of creative ladies on here.

youandme glad the consultant doesn't seem too worried about fasting levels at the moment. Shame about the induction plan if you don't want one. Plenty of long walks just before might get you going naturally. Worth a try!

dats and cookie, I'm catching up on One Born the now. DH calls it my "screaming ladies" show, as opposed to when I'm watching "Real Housewives" (I know, the shame), which is the "screaming drunk ladies" show.

Anna. It was me who suggested the sleep coach. Are you going with Christine. If you are follow her instructions and stay strong. She is fab and will support you the whole way. Good luck and keep us posted.

I also passed my GTT. So closer to my homebirth.

I was in a position to get a skiphop bento change bag and it is lovely. I love it with all the compartments I like and cool areas for milk bottles. It clips on to my pushchair and is all very tidy. BUT i had to retire it when I needed the pushchair less and DS was walking more as I found a back pack easier to wear to chase the little man. I hope I can use it again but I am likely to have to sell it :(

I also realised that I am going to have to pack my boy his overnight bag for when the time comes and work out a plan for where he is going to stay of he needs to go anywhere. As well as my own bags in case I need to go to the hospital.

Loopy - so glad you said that as I hadn't even thought of getting a bag ready for dd to stay at nana's! I think I'm kinda hoping I'll go into labour slowly at home with time to sort all this sort of thing out .

Well ladies, I've tackled the lady forest this evening. Fresh as a daisy down there now but had to use a mirror and a bit of contortion as I just can't see past my belly button now lol. It's not a pretty sight down there though atm! Feel sorry for the mw having to face it during birth.

Anyone else get restless legs? Got it last time too and its a real nuisance.

miniegaddict oh gods, I've had a complete out of sight, out of mind approach to grooming. I'm pretty sure I have hobbit feet by now. How trimmed are we supposed to keep the bush for labour?

28 weeks today and rocking the 70s. Poor midwife.

pulpi that's brilliant! DH is always eye rolling at every program I watch and he would find this highly amusing! Yours sounds very good and well trained buying you a pillow!

youandme glad things seem to be going well, it seems like it's mostly under control which is great. You could well go into labour before then so you never know. My first was at 38.5 weeks and everyone told me I would go overdue.

bluebell buy the pillow. Buy the pillow. Once you have it and it makes you so happy you will forget about how much it cost. Nothing is more valuable than sleep/comfort in my opinion. I used mine for two pregnancies and used it for feeding. I only got a long sausage one as it was a lot cheaper and we were really tight for cash at the time. But it's done me so well. I made a 'pillow case' for it out of a bit of old sheet so it's kept fresh
Thanks for the reassurance - I'm convinced there is at least 7lb in each boob at the moment!
Hope there's nothing to worry about with the areola, I'm sure it's just a hormonal type change but always best to get piece of mind

Wow lucia you are a very clever lady!!

anna good luck with the sleep expert and wish you every success. Sleep training is so so tough but totally worth it.. Especially with baby on the way. Stick with it, and remember YOU CAN DO IT!

jem lovely bump pic! You're looking great.

Pulpi I love the real housewives, which ones do you watch? DH can't stand it either but manages to know there names lol

Going I thought it was you! But in my sleep deprived state i couldn't remember and didn't want to look rude naming the wrong person. We haven't gone with Christine, but a lady I had spoken to previously. Only trouble is she now can't do our consultation for a couple of weeks and we want to sort it now! DH and I have decided to have another crack at controlled crying. went well last night- she slept 10.30-5.30 (then up for the day!) but i had horrendous hay fever and couldn't sleep for 2.5 hours in the night. Just my luck! Thank you and cookies for the support. DD has had a lot of health issues with allergies and asthma and as such has had genuine reasons for not sleeping, however now these are under control the problem is I worry that she's ill. I need to be strong and realise if she goes to bed happy and clam then she's typically fine. DH being very supportive. We re going to take it in turns to do the controlled crying for the next few nights and hope it works. Think I will try baby whisperer technique as that's the one I had most success with before! I just pray my next lovely baby is a sleeper :)

Going i didn't even think of a bag for DD! I keep thinking about my planned section but actually if i go into labour before I have been told to go straight to hospital so this is an excellent point! Thank you for sharing that! In terms of childcare it's hard isn't it. I am hoping someone will be around, worse case DH will have to watch her until someone is free.

Anna I watch all the Real Housewives. I've even been known to dip into Mob Wives for my reality fix. I'm glad I'm not the only one suffering with a less than impressed DH/DP!

Sitting, waiting for my 28 week midwife appointment. 15 minutes late now. Not at all bothered, as that's 15 minutes more away from work! 32 more working days left!

Anna - I am really pleased you are seeking help. I though making that first move was the hardest part. I almost felt like a failure as a mum. But actually it was the best £50 I have spent since starting this parenting job.

I would still suggest contacting Christine. If you drop her an email explaining your history you will get a response today pr tomorrow. She will give you a consultation over the phone on the same day and give you clear instructions on how to do what you need to do. Her approach is cc but at no point did I feel DS was suffering. Her style is designed to provide reassurance and confidence to the little ones and she is magical. It only costs £50 once for each child. So if you need to go back to her for a "top up" after regression or sickness, you won't get charged again.

It has been six months since I contacted her and my boy loves his bed and room and it is cosy but not cluttered.

I promise not to push for her again (to you at least 😉) but seriously consider her. Like I say she makes me believe in magic 😊

Anna - I only thought about how quickly things went for me last time and then I realised DS would need stuff to stay anywhere and DP would be useless finding everything. Oh the stress of it. Now I need to work out who he will stay with and when. And for how long. If necessary! We have no family here but a good network of good friends and DS is a dream (especially now he sleeps through the night).

pulpi yes please, do let me know how the pillow goes!

Bel the multifunctionality of that snake pillow sounds good. tams, I have been using an extra pillow in the way you describe - the bottom part tucked between my knees, and the top part tucked under my bump - but it just doesn't feel quite long enough to work properly.

Anna yep, I figure at least this way I am getting used to interrupted sleep! I hope you get your DD's sleep sorted - sounds like you have a good plan there.

Lucia what a pretty quilt! I pinned loads of baby projects on a secret board on Pinterest when I first became pregnant... I have been too busy to look back over them for the last few months, though! I think I might have to go and remind myself and pick out some nice projects to keep me distracted as the due date nears.

mini I was toying with the idea of getting a bikini wax, but I just can't face it. I know of people who had their DH trim their lady gardens when they got too pregnant to do it themselves. Not sure I can face that, either!

Cookies I think I will buy the pillow!! And yeah I'm sure when I see my GP they won't be worried - looking at it closer I think it's just a pigmentation thing - but I do like to check things out. I have totally lost count of the number of times I've been to the GP during pregnancy. Whoops.

I finished up at my temporary job yesterday - WHOOP, WHOOP! I have really enjoyed it, but my god was I ready to stop that big-ass commute! They were lovely and gave me a much nicer send-off than I deserved after only three months of working there - I was very touched.

Today has been all about sorting out things for the hospital bag. I have raided Tesco's and come away with a wide range of sweet and savoury and energy-boosting snacks, plus water bottles and little juice cartons. I got some Lansinoh from Boots - it's on half-price at the moment, ladies! And I also bought a pack of disposable maternity mats on a friend's recommendation - to potentially save the car seat if my waters break on the way to hospital. Also got a spare key cut for the house, so that the in-laws can come in and check on our bantams if we are in hospital for a long-ish while.

Feeling rather virtuous and organised now. Shame the house is such a tip!

bluebell I've been buying stuff for readiness too. Woke up very early today (330) and couldn't get back to sleep. So went on amazon and bought loads of super glamorous things eg bed pads (also for car), maternity pads, hospital knickers, lansinoh etc!

Is anyone else struggling to do things like put socks on? I can barely reach. No way I could reach the lady garden let alone see it

Fifi what a cute bump. I adore the cot you have chosen.

Julfin super impressed at your running. I can barely get myself off the sofa let alone run.

Mar I'm getting a breast feeding pillow. I have really bad posture so I feel it will help. I'm going for a dreamgeni donut feeding pillow from Mothercare.

Goingloopy I would win in the biggest thigh competition. I seem to have pregnant thighs they've developed a lovely jiggly bit of fat on the inside. I'm not looking forward to that rubbing if I ever get to wear a maxi dress before baby arrives.

Bluebell baby keeps having a party in my tummy too at about 3am every morning it's driving me insane.

Jem lovely bump pic. I love stripy maternity clothes.

Cookies why are you so worried about your weight. I bet you look fab. I on the other hand have serious issues. I've been crying to DH as I feel so fat & ugly.

I went into town today for the last couple of bits for my hospital bag. I'm trying to walk everywhere as I'm not managing to do any exercise. I am so out of breath just walking around its ridiculous. I had to take a seat in boots today as I came over all hot and dizzy and my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. The midwife didn't get back to me about my iron so I'm presuming it's ok. I wonder if I feel so rubbish this time as I am so fat. I was exercising all the way through last time.

I've finally booked my whooping cough jab. I just kept forgetting about it.

I need to send off my maternity allowance claim. I've tried calling national insurance class 2 about 5 times now to see how I top up my contributions to get the full rate of maternity allowance but they are about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

29+6

I'm so sorry having a terrible time keeping up with all the comments but hoping ur all ok x

Thank u for all the advice regarding the breast feeding pillow I have convinced oh it's a necessity now along with a maternity pillow as having terrible time sleeping and getting comfortable in bed.

Baby been a bit on the slow side again since yesterday but not letting it get to me been keeping busy the doctors were happy with baby movement on scan however they mentioned the fluid around baby a bit lower than normal. I'm back in two weeks to be seen so hoping everything is ok. Had a productive couple of days baby bag and my bag ready for when we need it now will just put some snacks in more nearer the time. I have been putting together things I need to get for the nursery now which is my next mission as this is my first born was wondering what everyone would recommend for baby bath tubs? I have seen one I like in boots the baby way foldable bath tub but not sure if it would be any good?

Sorry posted before I could finish

Loving all the bump pics I would love to share to but just jot feeling very photogenic at the moment

Having a hard time catching up but hope everyone is okay!! The app is being a bit of a pain in the arse so will catch up when I can!

Set a date with work! 31st May I will start my holiday which is about 2 weeks and then straight after that mat leave starts they've said if I feel I need to go earlier then just let them know, they dont want be to push myself, which I definitely wont!

However work have been arses well I use a plural but its one manager in particular. 20 years of age, female (so you'd think she would sort of understand my situation) making me stand around very heated areas! Didnt matter that I was literally hugging a fridge to cool down, even infront of customers! Just the vats and where the hash browns/fries are kept is way too hot and she kept having a go every time I left and cooled down. I had to proper bite my tongue and keep my fist from throat punching her all the while she can sit on her backside in the office and do f' all . Makes me angry. Cant wait to go!

Im putting a bump pic in from yesterday (29+1) I apologise for the mix and match pjs and its like stretch mark city over here haha!!

Mar i recommend the tippee toes bath. Brilliant as you don't need to hold on to baby. (They are so slippery when wet!!) I borrowed this off a friend but would definitely buy one. I think it lasted until DD was nearly a year so good value too.

bluebell pillow arrived and DH has racked up some serious points. He bought the Dreamgenii from Mothercare. Am curling up with it now. And as a bonus, it works as a nursing pillow/support as well.

Went to the midwife today. Baby's head is right down on my bladder, which explains my hourly trips to the washroom. I'll get the whooping cough jab next week.

And now I have to pee. Again.

Lovely pics of bumps and babies ladies, I have midwife tomorrow.

Is anyone else suffering from pregnancy sending them a bit crazy!! I am normally very relaxed and a total get on with it type person, quite hard to phase and able to multi task... Not so much anymore I'm all over the place its driving me nuts. Combined with forgetting everything and this evening trying to walk down the up travelator at asda I'm a bit worried I may do myself a serious mischief by July!

Anyone else have any baby hormone/preggo brain stories of their own?

Missing- ur bump pic is so cute and good news on the work front and sorry to hear about the manager not being considerate to ur pregnancy at least u don't have to face it much longer
Becks- thank u for the bath recommendation I will look into it like the idea of knowing baby will be safe in this bath tub.
Rolly- I haven't suffered from pregnancy brain YET but maybe I will soon but normally I'm emotionally in control but this pregnancy has changed that totally I find myself constantly crying over silly things like not being able to wax or sleep so ur not alone these hormones have sent me slightly crazy.

I'm feeling a bit anxious to be honest been trying to keep busy to keep my mind of it but I lost my last pregnancy as a stillborn at 32 weeks and as we are fast approaching that I can't help but feel unsettled. Don't want to speak to dh about it as I don't want him to worry but can't help worrying about it myself. I am trying to keep positive but sometimes easier said than done

Thank u all for being here it's lovely to have this support

mar - it is totally understandable you feel that way & natural. You will probably find that your OH is feeling the same. Dealing with anxiety in pregnancy is hard. I have been incredibly anxious throughout due to fertility issues, long road with IVF & then health issues. It is hard to stay sane, but sounds like you are doing an amazing job staying strong. We are always here if you need anything. Sending you lots of positive thoughts. When is your next scan? I have found have scans nearly every other week at the hospital very reassuring. It is nice to have the opportunity to see them.