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

[Ellizardo]

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

Have my 3rd trimester scan on Wednesday (in Portugal 3 is standard) to see position cervix stability and any other bits so excited. Baby wiggling like crazy whole stomach moves when he goes for it. But I'm much heavier than I should be I overindulged too much last few months and paying for it

30 + 2

Hi ladies, happy bank holiday! Fallen off thread again. Been a stressful few days. I had midwife on Saturday and I'm measuring 25cm at 27+2 so will need to go for a growth scan this week. I've also had reduced movements since Sat, I have been feeling some kicks but not the usual. I'm just on train back from London and going straight to hospital so will let you know how I get on.

Dats - so sorry for the late reply and thank you for your helpful car seat post! I think my car is older than yours so can't install the bars myself. I'm in denial about facing up to car seat but think I can get one of the maxi cosi bases that you can secure with seatbelt.

Thank you for all the compliments on my 24 week bump and cot! No point posting another bump pic as it hasn't really changed since then 😰

Seen lots of comments about breech / positioning etc. Whenever I ask my midwife she says it's too early to worry and they won't check properly until 36 weeks but that doesn't seem consistent with everyone else's experience? She thinks he is lying sideways which seems to match up to my kicks.

Bluebell - excellent tip on the maternity mat for saving car seats etc! I haven't been able to find them online but spotted incontinence bed sheets on Amazon (25 for £4ish) reckon they'd do the trick?

Mar - I'm so glad you're finding the thread a support. It's completely understandable how anxious you're feeling. I've been quite on edge myself with kicks etc and it must be so hard with your history. When's your next appointment?

Loopy - enjoyed reading about your HB experience, thanks for sharing. I am consultant led so will be going in but was surprised about MW not letting you in bath until 4cm. I thought we were allowed to have a bath as pain relief for early stages (I haven't been to my classes yet so perhaps I'm making them up!!)

Bird - welcome back!

Bluebell - pleased to hear that work situation has worked out well for you and sympathise with your frustrating shopping trip!!! I've found myself getting teary at things like that too

Julfin - I think I have sciatica too, I mentioned my symptoms to my massage therapist (she specialises in pregnancy massage and is always fully booked). I definitely have some relief in between sessions.

Cookies - I've been going to the nct stretch & breathe and I would recommend. I was quite skeptical as I already go to an excellent pregnancy yoga class but nct ones had different focus and more discussion on techniques you can use in birth.

Is anyone else getting a bit fed up of pregnancy? I really want my baby here now! Finding worrying about movement etc very draining and I'm exhausted all the time. Felt v sorry for myself at a friends (beautiful) wedding yday too. There were SO many pregnant women there and they all had noticeable bumps. I know from the bride that some are either due same time as me / later but I look tiny in comparison. They all had seats etc and no one offered me a seat (in fact someone took mine at one point!) because I guess I don't look 7+ months pregnant. I felt like such a burden on my friends too as I didn't want to dance (back killing from first time wearing heels in months) so they took it in turns to sit with me.
I know I sound so self indulgent and I had a lovely day, I just felt a bit sad at the end that I couldn't enjoy it as much as I would've usually.

Will let you all know how I get on at hospital. Hope everyone enjoys their Monday 😊

27+4

Thanks for all the bacongate sympathy, folks! Luckily I'm not a massively squeamish vegetarian, and I was too hungry to send the plate back so I just cracked on - but it was a bit gross! I haven't had meat in nearly 20 years!

Fifi sorry that you have growth worries. If it's any consolation, I have a colleague who was on regular growth scans because her baby was too small - until a few weeks ago, when the baby suddenly became too big... So now she's on growth scans for the opposite reason!

I can also see how you being treated differently to other pregnant ladies at the wedding was a frustrating experience - don't feel bad about whinging about it! I went to a funeral last week and there weren't any seats by the time I got there, so I had to lean against a table. It was a lovely, lovely service, but it was very crowded and hot, and at the very end I had to crouch down on the floor because I thought I was going to pass out. Fortunately I was at the back, so I don't think anyone really noticed - apart from my friend, who crouched down beside me to give me water, bless her!

I got thesematernity mats from Boots, by the way.

Went for a swim this morning on a breakfast of only a banana because we'd run out of bread and milk, and holy heck, I could barely move my legs! I do not recommend!

Hope baby cooperates at hospital Fifi, thinking of you. Sorry you didn't enjoy the wedding as much as you should have. I am constantly comparing myself to other pregnant ladies. Must say commuting by train is making me more assertive when I have to ask for a seat twice a day, but it really doesn't come naturally!

Thanks for the homebirth story Loopy, I met my homebirth midwife last week, and have decided to go ahead with it. She was so lovely and reassuring, it's nice to get to know the midwives in advance. I feel a bit as though I'm not really the intended audience for a homebirth as I have no negative connotations with hospital (never been), ours has a nice birth centre attached, and is only 20mins away. But I really like the idea of being relaxed, having everything to hand, and not having to drive to hospital half way through labour! The decider for me was the midwife confirming I can still donate the umbilical cord (stem cells) with a homebirth, which I feel really strongly about. Has anyone else done or intending to do this? There are several companies and I haven't yet researched which is best.

SunnyScot my midwife gave an info pack which suggests www.birthpoolinabox.co.uk www.waterbabybirthingpoolhire.co.uk and www.madeinwater.co.uk for birth pools and Dats www.homebirth.org.uk for general info (Note I havent yet looked at these myself!) My biggest recommendation is to meet the midwife you'd be assigned and talk it all through - it was a world of difference from the in and out 10mins checkups with the different midwife every time at the GP, and she will now be meeting me fortnightly (all at home).

Fifi If you can't find maternity pads, try looking for puppy pads!! I found both in a poundshop (can't remember which chain) so have stocked plenty for bed/car/sofa.

Hope everyone is enjoying their bonus Monday. I'm on holiday in Greece and a big storm has blown in, so not the best start! Will try and post a beach bumpie later in the week if the Sun comes out.

31wks today

Sunny. I bought my pool (after research) second hand from a local person through ebay. She had laboured but not given birth in it. I figured I was hoping for a second and would hopefully get to use it twice and then it is a pretty cool pool so we would use it on the jot summer days in the garden. You know those reallu hot summers we get here in the uk! Lol. With the pool, the liner, hose and fittings and all the bits I spent about £80. I need a new liner and to clean the hose this time and we should be fit to go. We are planning on getting the pool down soon to check its condition.

Fifi - we were suprised the mw wouldn't let me in the pool until 4cm but would let me have bath. But apparantly the reason i wasn't allowed in the pool was because it could slow things down and as my waters had gone before I had even my first contraction, the mw wanted to reduce the risk of infection.

32 weeks today! Having a shit afternoon though. Decided to have a lovely steak for lunch as very gestational diabetes friendly. Made a really nice creamy mushroom sauce to go with it, loads of veg, a few roasted new potatoes, the works.

Had about three bites, and must not have chewed steak properly, because I immediately got the most appalling acid reflux. Nothing would touch it, Gaviscon, Rennies, nothing. Couldn't keep even water down. Have spent the last two and a bit hours in agony and panic about blood sugars, dehydration etc. Visions of going to hospital to go on a drip. Lovely lunch ruined and in bin. Have finally managed (TMI) to throw up the bit of indigestible food that has been causing the issue and am OK now. Blood sugars will be fucked today though.

On the bright side, baby seems happy as a clam, and has been wriggling away merrily throughout this hideous ordeal!

Struggling to keep up again haha.. Woopsie!

I hope everyones had a lovely bank holiday weekend! I havent too much as Ive been working and will be until this weekend!

Sorry to hear about the rough time at the wedding, I have my mums wedding in June (I'll be 36 weeks) so by your experience I probably wont be comfortable either!

I cant remember much else of what others have put, Im so sorry.. I will try to catch up at some point (I keep saying that..)

Just really looking forward to this weekend as I have a 4D scan I had one at 17 weeks too so really excited to see how hes changed and progressed!!

29+6!! 2 days and I'll be in single figure count down

fifi - hope it went ok today. thinking of you.

bluebell - i'm mega impressed by your shopping trips, swimming and even bacongate. i feel like i've been a hermit these last few days: first a spanish hermit, now a london one. you know when you haven't spoken to anyone for a while and then suddenly you have to order a coffee or answer the phone and your mouth has to remember to speak?! (or is it just me?!) Anyhoo, that's what I've felt like today.

i've gone through all teddy's clothes, decided that no. 2 will be a tomboy and re-use most of his stuff (a lot of breton stripes!) but there are still gaps which, Beautician, your lists have wonderfully highlighted. so am buying a few bits and pieces in slightly more feminine designs so the poor thing gets some gender balance.

foobio - homebirth and getting to know midwife sounds absolutely fantastic. i had no idea you had that degree of contact beforehand. on the other end of the spectrum i'm due to meet consultant anaesthetist tomorrow who will examine my spine and hopefully let me know why the spinal didn't work last year...i'm taking my mum and i'm not quite sure why, she'll probably get annoyed on my behalf and stress me out!

youandme - so annoying about steakgate and your powerlessness against heartburn, that totally sucks. ignore your sugars today...i found i had to make like frozen and let it go when they spiked once or twice...there's not much you can do about it.

i also have sciatica and weirdly in the opposite bum cheek to when i had it with ted.

indians/cookie - thanks for bringing up the intimacy thing. i've been wondering too. we're so knackered with ted's sleeping patterns, coupled with the sheer size and weight of me/her that not much has happened on that front for a few weeks now. bah. he's been very sweet about it though so i fully intend to make it up to him (in about 10 months!).

fifi hope all goes ok with the scan and movements pick up soon

Elli I've had the hermit thing too. I just want to stay in and 'nest' with DH all the time now, going out doesn't seem so appealing anymore.

julfin intimacy has been a bit hit and miss here too. I completely went off it in first trimester, desire ramped up again in second trimester, now I'm back to feeling fat and rubbish I don't fancy it at all now. DH has been very understanding and there are lots of cuddles and other bits and bobs here and there that we do. I keep wondering how long after birth it will take to all go back to normal again. Can any of the more experienced mums shed any light?

puzzle 4D scan sounds exciting, look forward to seeing the photos

We've spent the weekend assembling the pram then found out it was bad luck to do it so early Took it for a spin around the garden in the sunshine, getting all excited about using it properly when she finally arrives. Company has finally agreed to exchange the car seat as well so that's sorted.

Allthegood- Ive had my pram set up since January haha.. Didnt realise it was bad luck but that looks like a lovely pram!!

allthegood pram looks great! Glad they are exchanging the car seat for you. You wouldn't have been happy if you hadn't done it.

elliz I've been finding myself going on stupid expeditions now while I still feel I can venture.. Making myself stupidly tired. I'm also feeling 'too big' for most intimate options.

missing make sure you're resting after all these shifts and putting your feet up in the evenings. Yey to the scan how exciting, I kept looking at them and decided not to in the end (only due to financial reasons) and now wishing I had one!

youandme absolute shit about the steak and wasting such a delicious meal. Try not to worry too much about sugars as there's nothing you can do about it. I know nothing about GD but will protein help stabilise blood sugars?

foobio jealous of your trip to Greece and really hope weather improves. I love Greece so much. That's a nice idea, I haven't ever really seen much on it, or heard anyone who has done it. Let us know if you do. I was thinking about getting the placenta made into tablets or something (sorry peeps if you find it gross!) but haven't found much info about it in the area.

bluebell that sounds like a horrible experience at the funeral. A banana is never enough! I've been finding once I get home from a swim I want to eat everything in sight!

Thanks fifi , unfortunately the only class in my area clashes with a class I teach and I cant afford to stop it yet due to rubbish mat pay. Sorry to hear about your measurements, I personally don't believe measurements alone, good luck at your scan though and keep us updated. You have been very busy and I find when I'm busy I notice less movement. Good they are checking it out though. I don't think they are fussed until 36 weeks about position as they can turn. They just make a note in my notes about position. Sorry to hear about the wedding. I hate when you're pregnant and can't always enjoy social events in the same way. I'm sure your friends understood

31 weeks today

Fifi. Hope your scan went well.

Foobio. I am happy you have decided to go for the hb option. We have a home visit here at 36 weeks but it is unlikey to be the mw who will be on duty when it happens.

Just as a word of advice though; even though you are planning on staying at home pack your bags to go to hospital. There are two reasons; 1) you will have everything to hand that you will need and won't need to hunt for stuff. 2) if you do need to go to hospital you are ready to go, taking that stress away. Good luck.

Elizardo - I figure this one is going to be a tomboy too. We are definitely going to reuse DS'stuff with DD!

I am starting to really feel pregnant now and this baby keeps bouncing on my bladder then blocking the way. I have 11 weeks until I get to DS delivery time! It is coming round quickly considering I have known I was pg since 3 weeks!

Just popping in - im so behind this dropped off active convos!

Fifi im sure all will be fine. As someone else said these measurements are so innacurate!

I spent the bank holiday doing up the nursery and im so happy! Will post a couple of photos later but feels such a huge relief to have it done!!

Hope everyone else is ok... cba to wait any more i want my baby now!!! 30+2

Fifi - I hope everything is ok & the scan went well. Thinking of you. I worry about everything. I have a scan tomorrow afternoon, fingers crossed it is all ok.
Apologies but I am going to rant. I have just seen my consultant. I have said that I am starting my mat leave at 39 weeks. My consultant has just told me that there is a high mortality rate between 38 & 40 weeks for babies with mothers with my condition, so they won't let me go later 38 weeks. Of course I just want to have a healthy baby so now want to have the baby earlier on advice & would just spend the last week worrying if they didn't now, but wished they had told me earlier when I was submitting my paperwork. Now having to recalculate all my thinking and planning for around 14 July rather than 28 July, & it could be sooner. Also, because things are going less smoothly they want to continue to see me every week now. So many trips to the hospital, I live there now!
Anyway, hope everyone had a lovely bank holiday weekend. I did a 11 mile walk on Sunday and feeling the effects. On the other hand I have lost weight as a result.
I am loving all the home birthing stories, unfortunately I am going to have to be wired up to drips so not an option but it sounds amazing.

I am cross for you Thom. They should have said sooner. But well done for the big walk. I hope you didn't overdo it

Eliz we didn't even go abroad so the weather wasn't great but it's nice to have a break isn't it. We are currently looking at booking a villa in Malta for next April as I'd like to go before baby can walk. Eek at a possible c section date. Exciting though.

Anna did you get any good bump pics at the wedding. I love a wedding. We have one to go to when baby will be a max of 3 weeks old. Really not sure whether or not to go. DH will definitely go as its his best friend who now lives in oz but coming home for the wedding.

Bird hi. I hope pregnancy is going well for you. I agree time is going by pretty fast.

Julfin another that can't face waxing anymore. I'm going to try veet. A bit scared though as not used it in years. I'm going bushless too especially easier for after birth when there's so much going on down there.

Indians lovely bump pic. I need to send off my maternity allowance form I still haven't done it yet and I'm hoping to start it in 6 weeks time. With regards to your intimacy question poor DH isn't getting much of a look in. He has moaned about it quite a lot but I haven't felt like sex most of the way through. It's difficult to feel sexy when you have a big old bump, spots, hair that won't lie right, breathless, full of wind and tired all the time.

Bluebell pleased that you feel some relief at the redundancy. Have you managed to sort out your room space yet. Well done for braving shopping. I've had almost everything delivered this time as I can't be bothered.

Foobio enjoy Greece. I'm so jealous of all these holidays. I'm hoping we get some good sun here. When I had ds3 in May 13 I spent most of my maternity leave sunning myself in the garden.

Allthegood gorgeous pram. I've had mine since about 12 weeks. I'm not superstitious at all. I got married on Friday 13th. I believe if my marriage fails it would be because of us not because of the day we got married on.

Primary looking forward to some nursery pics. We don't have a nursery as baby will eventually share with ds3 it's not something that bothers me.

Really hoping I get a water birth at the hospital this time. I might not cope or I might hate it but this is my fourth and last and I would like to have the opportunity to try it.

I need to sort out the expensive camera DH got me for Christmas. I was hoping to get some bump pics of us together so wondering if I can set it up to take photos as we've not had couple bump pics together before. Feeling sad that this is the last time I get to do all this.

30+4

Oh I meant to say yesterday I picked up two night shirts in primark. One for giving birth in if I don't get a pool birth and one for after. Both have a button down front so I can breast feed easily. I got 14-16. £4.50 each so I won't mind chucking one away if it gets covered in blood.

hello. just back from consultant anaesthetist. she didn't have my notes (what a surprise) so we didn't even know if i had an epidural or spinal last time...but in any event she thinks I can try it again and implied that my expectations on the difference between pain and the pressure/rummaging around of a c section had not been managed properly. then she literally had to run out the door because of an emergency in the operating theatre upstairs so i made my own notes in my book and left!

also signed an expression of interest to donate the placenta/cord blood cells to charity. can't remember who is doing that too, but agree it's a really worthwhile cause.

fifi hope everything is good, as others have said I'm sure these measurements can be way out.
beaut good tip on the night shirts
elliz I will ask about donating placenta & cord. Might as well do some good as I've been unable to donate blood whilst pregnant obviously

Ladies I'm sorry if this sounds horrible, ungrateful and maybe even snobby but my MIL has just informed me she's getting a large knitted big ears and noddy made for the baby's nursery. I actually can't imagine anything i would like less (I know it's not about me ), sorry if anyone has something like this but it just won't go with what I have planned, I was going to a couple of stuffed animals that went with the wall stickers id chosen. I hate a lot of clutter and mil is constantly buying stuff for the house out of charity shops etc or to her own taste that I then have to display or use or I feel ungrateful. Anyway I will absolutely not say anything in real life about this as I feel bad even saying it here but I'm really annoyed I will now have to have these out on display.

Had to add I'm not adverse to things from charity shops if they're useful it's just the constant ornaments, vases, candle holders etc. that clutter up the house that are a bit much I feel like the baby's nursery is going to end up a complete mess of mismatched things rather than the calm, peaceful room i had planned.

Kaytee - what you need is a good-sized cupboard to keep unwanted gifts in. Then you just roll them out and put them on display when the relevant visitor arrives. Annoying though. Can you maybe suggest an alternative that goes with your theme/scheme? While I totally understand your concern about not wanting to say anything, equally it's your house that's gonna have to accommodate this clutter, so it might be worth asking whether she's absolutely got her heart set on that or whether she'd consider something else.

Beaut - v good point re nightshirts. Hadn't even thought about that - I think I'd kinda envisaged being issued one of those naff hospital gowns with the big slit up the back so you can flash your bum at everyone in the corridors. I'll take myself to primark to get some semi-disposable clothes.

Thom - that is very frustrating re the dates - sympathies. Hope you manage to get it sorted. How are you doing generally?

Today I collected my bike from where I semi-abandoned it in October. Was pleased that it's still in working order, but less pleased to find that I can't pedal without kneeing myself in the tummy. It was a slow journey... But also very pleasant weebling through the parks in the lovely weather today - I'm looking forward to spending lots of time strolling/picnicking there from July onwards - really praying for a great summer!

29 weeks today
8 weeks til mat leave...

julfin she's already ordered them and I don't think I could bring myself to say anything, she would probably be hurt and I know she only buys all this stuff because she cares about us. Cupboard a good idea or maybe I will get a toy chest - that would come in handy in the future anyway!
I can't believe you're managing to cycle! I cycled quite a bit before getting pregnant but I'm a bit clumsy at the best of times so I'm worried I'll fall!

Ladies I need your opinions - we're not getting a holiday this year but my husbands Aunty has a lovely caravan somewhere that we quite like. I don't want to go while still pregnant as not up for the long walks and can't have a few beers etc. Would it be mad to think we could go when the baby is 3 weeks old for a few days before my husband goes back to work? My logic is that it can't be any harder looking after a new born in a caravan than at home but as its my first I have nothing to compare it to??

Kaytee you really should just tell her. I tell my MIL now. Mine doesn't give unwanted gifts but she can be awfully rude. Everyone says to me oh you can't say that she's got cancer. Erm bad manners aren't a side effect. She has got better recently though but I had a few mean comments about the baby from her. We always end up with loads of knitted clothes which aren't really to my taste from my mum and DHs grandma. We just put baby in it once for a photo and if they are visiting.

Julfin you usually only get a hospital gown if you are prepped for theatre for any reason. With my three only one night shirt has needed to be thrown the others I've used for a while. I always pack a pair of nursing pjs in case I'm in for a few days but after birth when I've had my shower it's nicer to put on a loose nightshirt as there tends to be a lot of blood and I'm sure I would just end up with it all over pj bottoms.

DH has his vasectomy consultation today.

30+5

Hi girls, I'm finding hard to keep up and rarely post but I'm still here!
we had a 4D scan on Sunday and I have to say it was brilliant! We had one with DD1 and they look exactly the same!
Feeling emotional today as I've just listed DD1s silver cross pram on eBay but we are collecting our new oyster max 2 next week!
Hope everyone is having a good week
30+4

My brother in law is a research scientist with a licence to harvest stem cells. He started doing this as buying them from companies was so expensive. It allows their budget to go further, and therefor we all benefit from the scientific research. If it is available, I would like to donate.