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

[Ellizardo]

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

Morning ladies

I have completely lost track of this thread, but just wanted to mark my place again and say Hi .
Hope you are all well?

I cant believe I'm 30wks +2 - how did this happen? Seems only the other day we were congratulating each other on our 12 week scans! although i think the next weeks are going to drag a bit....

Bye for now - will catch up on posts later

Hi, I'm another one that's stopped getting alerts so have dropped off a bit.

32 weeks tomorrow and getting some odd looks when asked when I'm due! A fellow ballet mum said to me yesterday "no baby yet then?" And a checkout cashier was shocked when I told her I had two months to go. Dh says I'm massive but seeing your bump pics I'm about the same. I am starting to feel a bit podgy round my bum and boobs now tho but there is no point worrying til well after birth.

I have no personal experience of a home birth. Did briefly consider it this time as my last labour was fairly short and I was already 5cm dilated when I got to hospital. However, I think dh could do without clearing up whilst not getting any sleep (he sensibly went home and slept after dds birth) and there isn't that much space for a pool. I screamed the bloody place down too so the neighbours would all know. I went to the midwife led unit which was a great experience (if you can call labour that!). This time I hope for the same but to come home asap as it was the night on the ward after birth that wasn't very nice.

Miniegg. Lol it seems I am a silent "screamer", and rest for DP is paramount this time.

I've stopped getting alerts too, I'm not liking the app tbh I've found it much harder to keep up with the thread using it!

Hope everyone's had a nice weekend, I'm not back at work til Wednesday wish I could get a decent sleep though - last 2 nights have been awful.

Had my GTT and anti-d on Friday and they said they will call me Monday if I have GD. The mw that gave me anti d couldn't believe I hadn't seen my mw since 22 weeks and not booked in til 32 weeks. She gave me a check up at the same time to be on the safe side which was nice of her. All fine, measuring fine (which I need to remember when people are telling me I've got a massive bump). Baby is head down but leaning against my ribs on left hand side which I had guessed as I've had a lot of rib pain on that side.

Getting whooping cough on Tuesday.

Advanced warning: this post is epic!

Mar - Glad things are going ok for you. I do think it would be good to share your anxieties with DH (as well as us of course). Re breastfeeding pillows: I had a money-off voucher in Jojomamanbebe, and last weekend got a bunch of stuff with cute little grey elephants on, including a bf pillow. It's horseshoe shaped. Not sure if it's the most practical one out there, but I got a bit caught up with the elephant theme and couldn't resist... Our sofas are really uncomfortable (far too soft, so you collapse into them) and we don't really have room for a nursing chair, so I figured I'll need something. We'll see if it does the job... Re bathtubs, I've been recommended to get a bath insert which holds the baby upright in the big bath and means you have two hands free. Apparently enclosed baby bathtubs are good at first but babies can grow out of them v quickly.

Tams/Ellizardo - glad you've had a nice hol!

Puzzle - sorry to hear you're still getting a fought time at work - but glad you've got your end-date sorted.

Becks - so sorry about your fall. Hope you're feeling ok.

Dats/Cookies/Tams/Jem/Beautician/others - before you get too impressed, I should probably clarify what I mean when I say "running"! It's now somewhere between a slow jog and a quite convincing impression of a fat duck in a rush. But it makes me happy. I like to do some cardio - it reduces lactic acid build-up in my muscles. And in fact for some reason I find it less uncomfortable than everyday speed-walking (eg to get to the pedestrian crossing before the green man vanishes) which I am now really struggling with. However I think I may have to retire gracefully (or not so gracefully) from the "running" soon (depending on my urgent toilet needs). But Anna - I love your optimism re an easy labour - that may keep me going!

Cookies/Bluebell/other gym bunnies: are you still using the gym at all? I haven't much at all lately. I'm struggling with free weights now (not because of the weight of the weights themselves but because my bump gets in the way and I can't really bend over to pick them up / put them down on the floor before/after). Am thinking I should probably use the machines instead - any thoughts?

Dats/Cookies/Speak/Photographer/Tams/Lucia/Loopy/Ellizardo - thanks so much for all the advice re changing bag rucksacks. Really helpful. General consensus here and in online reviews seems to be that Pacapod is brilliant but their rucksack version is rubbish. So I think I'll get myself a normal Pacapod shoulder bag that fits in the pram, and then when I'm using a carrier I'll just take the removable pods and put them in an ordinary rucksack.

Bird - hi again!

The last few days, for the first time I've been experiencing serious third-trimester discomfort. It feels as if the baby has just had a massive growth spurt and my tummy hasn't quite caught up - so my tummy is REALLY FULL! And I'm full of wind. And huffing and puffing loads. And the backs of my thighs are agony. Plus today I've been pooing like there's no tomorrow (sorry TMI but it's seriously adding to my discomfort!). Am currently having a nice hot bath to try to ease the pains - DH left this morning on a two-week trip so I've got the place to myself - trying to make the most of it as it's probably the last time I'll have some proper peace and quiet for the next 18 years - ha!

Tams - what's all this about hanging upside-down? And at what stage does the baby settle into one position? I thought they were still moving around at this stage...?

Pulpi/Mini/Bluebell - I'm going bushless for labour. Just easier and nicer I think. (And I've got over my hang-up of it looking/feeling a bit weird - I actually prefer it now.) Will get myself some Veet (in my head it's still called Immac) as I can't quite face going for a wax any more.

Bluebell - glad you enjoyed the end of your job and got a nice send-off. Oh, and thanks for the tip re Lansinoh sale at Boots.

Bel - yes I'm struggling with socks/rights. Are you now using the leg-out-to-the-side method or the knee-out-foot-in method? I haven't yet mastered either, but can't think of any alternatives - except getting DH to do it - but he's away for a fortnight now

I keep forgetting to book my whooping cough.

28+5
8.5 weeks til ML

Bel I am finding socks and my slouchy boots hard to put on. SIL did give me a long shoe horn which is great for trainers! I also keep forgetting I have a bump and bending over to pick things off the floor - oof! That's always a shock.

Beautician I think I have got to the point where baby is squishing my lung capacity, because I am finding it really hard to walk up the stairs without getting out of breath!

Mar - it sounds to me like you are doing really well at keeping positive. You have been through a really difficult time and it is perfectly natural that you would feel especially anxious. Wishing you the easiest of third trimesters!

Missing really glad you don't have too much longer to go at work - it's been horrid for you!

pulpi mmm the pillow sounds lush. Well done your DH! Also, I don't think your bump looks big - well, no bigger than anyone else's, anyway!!!

Becks is that your DD in the bath pic? SO CUTE! Hope you feel a bit less sore after your fall.

Allthegood I think I would be uncomfortable about the marks as well. Really odd that the replacement seat had them too.

Ellizardo so glad you had a nice hol!

dats I ended up in Loop last weekend and oh dear, it was so hard not to buy ALL THE YARN. I think I might find something simple to knit on while I'm in early labour - might take my mind off things?!

GoingLoopy your home birth experience sounds lovely :)

Anna I love the bodysuit you've bought. Hope your brother's wedding is fabulous.

julfin your 'fat duck in a rush' description made me laugh - it's exactly how I'm walking now when DH is walking too fast for me! I have totally stopped using the gym now - I think I stopped around 26/27 weeks. I just got too uncomfortable. I have been going swimming instead, though, which I LOVE. You can kind of forget you're pregnant, because the water takes the weight... Lovely!

Indians hello! Lush pics! I MUST take some myself tomorrow. Must, must, must.

Sooooo... My news is that I've been made redundant from my teaching job from September! And honestly? I'm thrilled! Redundancy pay works out a bit better than maternity for me, and it takes away any obligation to go back and work there. They are saying that they will probably have work for me when I am ready to go back, but that they just can't guarantee it at the moment. I don't really care whether they have work for me or not, though - my freelance work has taken off in a way that I never had imagined, and I can do that from home once the baby is here, which is wonderful.

It does mean I need to properly clear out my teaching stuff from school though, which is a major bummer as I'm not sure where I will put it at home. Perhaps I can find a friendly colleague to 'store' it in their classroom cupboard for me, if I let them use it, too...

I girded my loins and went for a massive solo shopping trip today, intending to get a load of baby stuff ticked off the list. But it was rubbish! For a start, I had to keep finding chairs to sit down on as I was getting hot / breathless. Then, I'd researched things online to begin with, so that I could then go and see them 'for reals', but the stores didn't have several of the items in stock! Gah!

Then a John Lewis cashier got mildly snitty with me when I asked to leave a couple of big-ish baby items (pregnancy/nursing pillow and changing mat) behind the till while I went to try on some bras, and inexplicably that made me weepy - I ended up sobbing quietly in the lingerie fitting room and then I was so embarrassed that people might have heard me crying that I didn't feel able to ask one of the assistants to check the fit of the bra! (Think they are fine though - and much nicer than the Mothercare ones.)

And THEN I went to have some lunch, ordered a 'veggie breakfast', which came complete with a chunk of crispy bacon stuck to the tomato, which I only discovered when it was in my mouth! I am actually vegetarian so wasn't really chuffed about this. The waitress was really nice about it, and I did get a discount and some complimentary cake, but overall it did not add to the joyous experience!

Anyway, I'm now feeling pretty irritable. And I really wanted to go swimming but I've just realised that the pool shuts soon so there's no point. GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Hi blue it is DD in the bath. She used to love it. She would have a bath every night on a shower curtain on the living room floor. (Usually while I was watching emmerdale/corrie) it was nice she could kick and splash around without me having to hold on to her.

bluebell sorry to hear about your stressful shopping trip- sounds like you did manage to get a good few bits in the end. Awful about the bacon though! Sounds like the work stuff is working out well.

indians Yey to having you back and you look absolutely fab!!

julfin I am still using the gym but since 28/29 weeks I've had to cut back. Maybe 15 mins crosstrainer, then a mix of free weights and machines. Be careful when picking weights up! If you're lifting them correctly and not too heavy. If I'm using heavier Dumbbells I only take them from the rack and then hold between sets. I still teach 3 fitness classes a week- one of which is weights (much to the horror of my chiropractor) I have swapped a few of my weekly sessions for swimming in the last 2 weeks, and also added yoga. Just listen to your body.

kaytee good luck with your results!

anna have a great time at your brothers wedding tomorrow- sure you will look glowing and lovely . Cute little vest! Yey for purchasing!

elliz glad you had a nice holiday. Even if the weather wasn't great. I recommend Mallorca for little ones too. Found it very safe and friendly and was easy to do etc. Trying to persuade DH the 5 of us can go next year..

dats in relation to home births- how does the midwife feel about the distance to hospital if you did decide on a home birth and then you needed to get there quickly at a later stage? I've not had one nor am allowed one but just thinking of different angles. When in labour with DD2 they kept saying well you didn't have an epidural last time so you don't need one this time! (Turns out they hadn't examined me yet and I was 10cm on arrival ) I love the idea of a home birth though, and I say you should really consider it and ask all the relative Qs etc

going your home birth sounds great, no wonder you want another one. The idea of sleeping in your own bed sounds incredible

Cookies & Bluebell - thanks so much for the fab advice the fitness.

Bluebell - great to hear your good news re redundancy. Hope you get your storage sorted.

Indians - yes re eating. I feel constantly over-full, so even when I'm hungry, I don't want to eat. But if I don't eat, I feel queasy. And if I do eat, even a sensible/normal amount, I feel as if I've glutted myself and can't move. So I'm having to eat little and often.

Has anyone been suffering from sciatica? Need to do more googling, but I think this might be what I've been experiencing over the last couple of days.

Had a lovely afternoon with friends and their baby and toddler. Toddler had apparently been really excited beforehand about visiting the peacocks in the park, but when we got there he was totally unimpressed. Blue birds with big colourful tails, meh. He was more interested in dropping stones into the drain. Fickle

julfin they say that being upside down can help the baby to turn if they're breech. Not sure at what point that would become a thing though. Think baby might have shifted position so they're back to back again now though because I've felt a lot more kicks this weekend and less pressure.

bluebell I keep doing the bending over thing too - oops! Glad you're feeling positive about the redundancy. Sounds like you'll have a lot more flexibility for work/childcare. Awful about the bacon though!

indians sorry to hear about your heartburn.

I've always put my socks on weirdly (knee in, foot out) so not too many issues there so far. Got some long boots to just below my knee which zip up the sides and struggling to do them up now. My calves must be much chunkier!

indians you look fab!
bluebell that's awful about your breakfast!

I've just ordered myself a tankini so I can get back to aqua natal next week, feels nice being weightless in the water so definitely want to get back to it.
I went to 'yoga bellies' last week for the first time and really enjoyed it. It's a block of 8 weeks so not sure what I will do for the couple of weeks after that before baby is due - don't think you're allowed to book half blocks and it was £88 so not spending that unless I'm going to use all of the classes!

28+2 (?) losing count!

Have to chuckle at the shoe problems. Tried to put my boots on earlier and ended up with one just perched on my foot. Dh tried and failed to get it on so had to resort to trainers. Can't wait for flip flop weather.

Indians- finding food a bit of a bummer at the mo. If I eat much I get heart burn or I just don't feel hungry. Had a packet of crisps and some wine gums for lunch then felt full. Can't even eat much cake .

julfin I have suffered with sciatica in all 3 pregnancies, so you have my deepest sympathies. It can vary to degree but generally starts in the lower back/bum and can shoot down the leg, even as far as the foot. According to the chiropractor last week she thinks it might have stemmedfrom issue with my pelvis she found.. (Totally can't remember what she said!) but I will let you know in a few days if I'm feeling the benefits!
Had physio in previous pregnancies but never really worked for me unfortunately. Is there anything in particular that sets it off/ makes it worse?

indians so very jealous of your Rome trip. How lovely. So many holidays happening in the group all sounds so exciting. Sorry to hear about the heartburn. Is it stopping you from eating as much? I think I need some stopping as I just can't seem to stop eating Second you on the flip flops... Bending down to put on shoes and tie trainers is driving me mad!!

kaytee you look fab too. Very petite. Is the yoga bellies class in the water? I've never heard of one like that before so very intrigued! I can't make the aqua natal in my area.. Although I really didn't like the instructor last time and I think it's still the same one...

I can barely put socks on.. And my trainers are such a pain to put on! Anyone else having to perch on the edge of their bed for putting clothes on and hope for the best?!

cookies it's just on mats, it's yoga but focusses on your breathing for different stages of labour, positions to help with pregnancy aches and pains and to help birth. I was just so relaxed by the end of it! If you google it you will probably find one near you.

Ha ha Mini: "Can't even eat much cake ."

Cookies - sympathies to you too. Yes please keep me posted. I'm going to preg yoga tomorrow which hopefully will help a bit. Might try a swim too while I'm out if I can be bothered.

Happy bank hol, all!

Julfin. Check out Spinning Babies. They have explanations and excercises to encourage the baby to move into position.

Re your sciatica, I was suffering really badly a couple of weeks ago and was recommended to visit a chiropractor. I found one whp specialises in pregnancy and told them my problem. They got me in quickly and almost instantly cured me. I have had three appts since with one more this thursday which have improved and tweaked things. She explained my pelvis was wonky and i do feel straighter since she has done her stuff. She did however crack my neck in the last session to get the twist out of my spine. It did feel instantly better but did come as a bit of a shock. I would recommend looking into this. You do have to pay privately but thankfully dp and I pay into a health benefits scheme and I can claim back the cost so far.

Thanks Loopy!

kaytee that sounds really good! I haven't found anything like that- just stretch and breathe type NCT things. Sounds very relaxing.

julfin have found being more active has helped strangely as it hasn't been as bad this pregnancy. going it sounds very similar to my chiropractor experience, so might be worth looking into julfin. My pelvis wasn't sitting straight and the effects were all through my body . Unfortunately it is expensive. I had my first session last week and I feel like I can feel the difference already. I have another one Weds. I would look out for someone who has experience with dealing with pregnant ladies- mine had, and had children and was really confident that she could help me.

indians yes I can relate to the intimacy! Sometimes yes and sometimes very much no poor bugger just can't win!

Thanks Cookies!

Indians - mostly just lots of cuddles!

Well I've had a pretty racy bank holiday Sunday night clearing through the filing cabinet, so I think it's time to go to bed now. Need to get my beauty sleep 'cos tomorrow I'm starting on the bureau. Rock 'n roll.

Morning all, sorry for not being on much, I do try to keep up but just been so busy. Had reduced movement on Thursday last week so ended up in Triage, but as soon as we got there he started wiggling!! Apparently it happens quite a lot, and the midwives were great, despite me feeling like a total fool for worrying. Standard procedure here to get a growth scan after reduced movements but all looked fine, and was lovely to see him again.

going and dats we're very seriously considering home birth. This is my first so I'm slightly concerned about how I'll deal with everything but I definitely feel it will be easier and more relaxed if I can stay at home. We have a spare room which the pool can be in so DH wouldn't need to worry about empting it straight after the birth either. Just need to get approval from Midwife which won't happen until after next appointment 4 weeks away, then need to buy all the stuff. Anyone got any advice on where to buy pools from? There must be loads of "unused" ones? Although I'm a bit wary of buying second hand in case it bursts. Lots of good advice groups on facebook re home births and water births, but happy to hear anyone else's recommendations on websites or books.

Loving all the bump pics, apparently my bump is very small, but it still feels massive to me. I love that when you become pregnant everyone is suddenly allowed an opinion on how you look!!

Hope you all have a lovely bank holiday, I'm unfortunately working but would rather save my holidays for when baby is here so I can't really complain!!

28+6

SunnyScot we hired a birth pool from www.birthworks.co.uk/ (didn't get to use it but that was always a risk!), and they were great. They were also really understanding about returning it, given that me and DC1 were in hospital for a week after delivery and DP wasn't able to get the pool back to them. They didn't charge us any extra and were very helpful.