April 2007 - approaching 3rd trimester, the one where we start to get ready.........

[EllieK]

new thread as other one getting very long, again!

so, anyone else got photos to share? i'm trying to find a way of getting them from my mobile to the computer as i don't have a digi camera.

CD, your day sounds manic! Are you not exhausted? Have a good one.

We have one of those ready beds flumpootle - they are fab aren't they!

I've done nothing re room etc either! I have a big pile of baby stuff in the spare room/office, and most of the rest is up in the loft. As we're still debating what to do about bedrooms until we build our extension, the baby will be in with us so I'm blowed if I'm cluttering up my room with baby stuff before I have to! That said, should probably go up into the loft for a recce in a few weeks time. We're supposed to be getting a chest of drawers from my great uncle's house, so I'm not unpacking any clothes until I've got something to put them in!

EMMYMUMMY - meant to say - have you worked out how you're getting to Southampton in a couple of weeks? I am getting a train from Basingstoke at 11.36 which stops in Farnborough at 11.13 if that's any use and you fancied going together?

Have no brain, and have forgotten everything else I was going to say!

Hi Girls

Thanks for the continuing thoughts re. yesterday. Started to get wound up reading about gest. diabetes on the net, the main things that worry me are:

1. having to have an induced labour or cesarean early

1. having problems getting the docs to let me breastfeed, due to low blood sugar in the baby when it´s born it seems many hospitals are keen to top up with formula. Given how bossy and ignore-the-mother the general policy seems to be here it´s horrible to think of having another thing to battle with them over just after giving birth. Also, I am trying to be open minded about whether it´s breast or bottle because I know there could be any number of factors that mean I can´t breast feed and I don´t want it to be a source of sadness or upset if it just doesn´t happen. I thought I was okay about it until I read about this yesterday and I felt quite sad at the prospect of not being able to breastfeed. I guess I´ve always just imagined I would and everyone I know practically has breastfed their baby. I can really see know why other mums have said they felt like a failure, even though bottle fed is JUST FINE and the main thing is the health and happiness of mum and baby alike.

1. And very much leastly.. not being allowed to have anything sweet for a whole 3 MONTHS that´s left! Like you all said, with everything else we´ve had to give up it just feels like..."leave me my chocolate...PLEASE LEAVE ME SOMETHING!!"

buuuuuuuut having said all that, this is what I was thinking YESTERDAY and this morning I have decided to not imagine the worst, I´ve had the test and the results to see if I have to do the 2nd test will be back next week. There´s no reason to think anything until the results of the POSSIBLE second test are back. So I feel much better.

PHEW. That´s caught you all up with me. Now I have to continue reading the thread and catch up with you lot! x

Yes, I am a bit knackered SOSPL, but I sort of go on "auto pilot" and get through somehow .... no time for a rest with Toddler and Mini Toddler in tow ......

I am looking forward to getting our spare room cleared so we can put all the baby crap in it - Atm it is stuffed with unopened boxes of stuff we haven't had time to deal with since the move!!

Maveta - [[hugs]] Honey and STOP SCARING YOURSELF!!!! Just go for the test, wait for the results and THEN think about it. You are going to be fine - we all love and care you on here!!

Okay so here goes..

Re. dhs..mine is not bad actually. I do always cook but it just doesn´t really bother me. I do most of the housework but he always cleans the toilets and does most of the washing up so I feel it kind of evens out over time. I am sure having the extra work of a baby will change how I feel about the division of things though, especially when I am home all the time! At the moment I work 3 days a week and he works so much that I feel it´s only fair that I do more. In the busy season I sometimes work quite late and come home exhausted. This year I categorically told him that during a couple of months I would not be even bothering about the housework. If he was happy to pick up the slack, fine, but I was more than happy to get a cleaner in. As it was he pulled his weight and it worked out fine. So I can´t complain, but ask me in 6 months time!!!

SOL - I don´t even GO to the miscarriage thread, I read it once and was sitting at work sobbing my heart out. Not a good idea.

re. nappies - will have to start looking into this again - unfortunately there are no nappy advisors here but I did contact the nappy lady.. I´ve decided after much advice to go with disposables until I get the hang of having a baby and then slowly try and ease myself into them after the first couple of months. I was getting in quite a tizz trying to understand it all and this way seems like it will be calmer and better thought out, for me, and also I´ll be less likely to spend a fortune on the completely wrong type of nappy for my baby. Let me know how you get on though, please.

Glitterkitty - I have actually considered just using a bowl in the sink!! But in the end we´ll buy something I´m sure. We are on the way to sorting the room but a way off from having it finished. This weekend we are finally completely moved OUT of it, then my sister is over next weekend then after THAT we will paint and properly get it sorted. So it´s happening but not at any great speed.

Anyway, I have to dash, been out and about all morning, up early for the glucose test and then Friday morning is market day in our village, I love it. Always meet my mum, dad and nan for coffee and then go buy all my fruit and veg and a ready cooked roast chicken for lunch. Then pottering around with mum and nan in village shops running errands. Now better sort the house out at least a little and dh is home for lunch. One great thing about his spanish hours is that he is home everyday from 2.15 to 4.45 so when I´m not working we can eat together, chill out, have a siesta, really really nice.

What a motormouth I am this morning, this is for all the posts I didn´t make yesterday!!!

Maveta, I hadn't realised you had family out there too - how lovely!

I know it is hard, but I would try not to worry about anything until you know for sure what the issue is. Fingers crossed for you.

Bramshott, you did make me laugh "blowed if I am going to clutter my room up with baby stuff! I am a bit like that! I just need to have 1 room that isn't full of toys and crap!

Afternoon ladies. Enjoying all the chat as usual - esp re fanjos! DH is not that happy with mine and that's after just the one... maybe that says more about him than me iyswim!!!

Can't really join in the man dinner chat tho as DH does 80% at least of the cooking and helps with the washing at weekends. Then we have a cleaner who also does all the ironing - am a very lazy wife but then do have quite a stressful job (lawyer) 3 days a week and like to spend time with DS on the other 2 days- not doing chores!!

Glitterkitty - try not to worry to much about what to get. Loads of baby stuff is only useful for the first few weeks anyway. We borrowed a baby bath from a friend but DS was lying in a baby seat in the big bath by 7 weeks as it was so much easier on my back and i didn't have to fill the baby bath and lug it around anymore. Not bothering with a baby bath this time - the little one can (hopefully!) just go in with DS on a baby seat. Plus you can always get something after the abby arrives if you feel you need it.

btw - any first timers interested in buying my buggy? I've now bought the p&t (to be delivered on tuesday, very excited!!) so will be selling my mamas & papas pramette. Its a very good buggy and in reasonable nick for 19 months use (never been on a plane or "off road"). Its the Boston Check fabric. Also have the luxury footmuff and the sun cover in matching fabric. Cost around £405 new and would like around £200 ideally. Will be putting it on ebay shortly but thought I'd give you lot first dibs!!

right must get some washing sorted whilst DS is alseep...

Hotlips, your dh sounds great - does he have a brother!!??

What area of law are you in?

I have already bought a buggy thank you - I got a Maclaren Techno thingy that is suitable from birth (from ebay) so hoping that will suffice. We bought a Jane Powertrack for dd, but I find it sooooo heavy.

yes am lucky with DH and the chores - its a bit of a hangover from pre-DS days when my hours were longer than his so as he was home first he would cook. Consequently I have never mastered much more than pasta and sauce! He did buy me a cookery course for xmas last year but I never got round to booking it, actually might try to do it once off on mat leave and DS is at nursery...

He's a great father to DS too - does lots of the feeding, playing etc at weekends, esp now I'm pg and gets him up every morning as he only makes 1 bathtime a week (the day he gets DS from nursery).

Unfortunately no brothers, just a sister!

Anyway - I am in what is now called "restructuring" and what used to be insolvency . Can't do much of the high level stuff anymore as the long hours for 5 days a week plus some weekends just isn't feasible with DS (phew!) so do get some of the dross. But it keeps my mind working and gives me something other than DS to worry about! And the money's nice too!!

I have a Maclaren Techno too which we are keeping - its my summer time/holiday/shopping buggy and its been great. The pramette is a bit bulkier but much more comfy iykwim.

That's fair enough isn't it. I used to work as the HR Manager for a law firm in Glasgow, and I know the mad hours the lawyers do - no wonder you do part time!

TBH, my dh is a FAB dad - I really cannot complain on that front, but he is not around as much as he was (he started a new job in November) so it really does all land on me. But, at least he is home pretty much every night, as I know many have dh's/dp's who work away for weeks on end. How do they do it??

afternoon - typing with one hand so no capital letters - laying in bed as had to come home from work early as am knackered and have had enough this week, so there....

maveta - try not to worry about the diabetes thing honey. i had glucose in my wee at 16 weeks and i did the same as you - i.e. went on-line and looked up all the symptoms of gestational diabetes. i too was thinking shit no chocolate! however, wee tested again this week and no glocose, so hopefully that will be that. sorry cant be arsed to spell properly this arvo.

bramshott - and other south east meet-up ladies - have a bit of a dilemma..... emily has been invited to a school freind's birthday party the afternoon of our meet-up. bollocks. hubby is working so he cant take her and i cant really ask the pils as they get all stressy about that sort of thing. shall i just be a selfish mooo and say she cant make the party as shes staying with the pils that weekend, as i really want to meet you all. bramshott i will be coming on the train so, yes, will go through basingstoke.....help.....

I'd ask the PIL if they would mind taking her... if the can be arsed then she will go.. if not then I wouldnt worry... you'll have a far better time than she would at her party.....

Just bloody lost a huge post I did!!!!!!! I think this computer is going the same way as my laptop OUT THE WINDOW!

Anyway lets see if I can remember what I wrote.

DD has yet another cold, no doubt from those little germ bag kiddies at her play group!
Have just got her down for a nap TFFT, so rather than doing what I should be doing (work, or house work) I thought I would come and spend some time on here.

Poor maveta honey you sound so worried, try and relax a bit and look after yourself.

Can't remember who said what so here it goes. My 2pence worth

I think pampers are better than huggies, they seem to soak up sloppy poo better, mind you when the poo gets a bit more solid tesco nappies are fantastic and cheap!

Also on the buying things like changing tables, nappy bins etc. I never bothered with DD, I brought a washing up bowl and used that until she was too big then I used a bath slope, that was great( as long as you can bend over to use it)
I did buy a £15 chaniging mat and never used it I always used the little one that came with my changing bag.

Well thats me done, as my parent's have turned up and need entertaining as there is no DD around to keep them amused.

OK have got out of bed so can type with 2 hands now. Forgot to say, always used Nature nappies with Emily and they were equally as good as Pampers/Huggies and didn't have that horrid chemically smell that the less env-friendly ones do. They never leaked (unless they weren't put on right) and Nature also make biodegradeable nappy-sacks. I know they're not as env-friendly as the re-usables, but if you really can't face re-usables they are a good option.

Geordie - you are right of course. I know the PILs won't take her as it's miles from their house and they like to do stuff at home with her anyway. FIL is dying to get his train-set out for her (it's very sweet seeing a grown man playing trains with a 4yo)!

Evening folks - absolutely knackered after 2 days at work - in pjs - waiting for dh to come home and take charge of boys!

I have at last found all the info for my Maternity Allowance application - so will get that posted off tomorrow. I am going on leave at end of feb so only 6 weeks for them to get it sorted.

Can't comment on the disps I'm afraid - I have some moltex for hospital and first few days - if I was to buy disps for holiday and couldn't get moltex would probably use pampers - no idea why - just what more likely to pick up!

I have my GTT in two weeks - my last baby was big and my mum has diabetes so increased chance I could have it - haven't really worried about it - just not being able to eat until 11.15 am til second test is done! Am going to take some sandwiches with me to second test so can eat straightaway! If I do have Gest diabetes - think would go for plannned section rather than induction.

I am soooo tired - feeling grumpy

Emmymummy - you know the answer don't you - say "no" to the party, and "yes" to yummy lunch out in Southampton with us lot!! Mind you, I think I feel more guilty turning down one of DD's numerous social engagements than one of my own much less numerous ones!

With DD for a long time we used Nature nappies at night, and cloth in the day, and I was very impressed with the Nature ones. As you say, they're pretty easy to get. Plan to use a mixture of those and Moltex for the first couple of months this time, then go with cloth again as the first size I had from last time start at 11lbs.

Maveta - hope you're doing okay. Try not to worry until the test results come back. I think loads of people get tested for gestational diabetes for one reason or another, and most tests are negative. Haphazard blood sugar more likely to be down to stupid midwife and her bloody diet sheet!

Right. Have made DD birthday cake, now have to stick a barbie in the top and ice it like Disney Cinderella (no pressure)! Predict tears by 6.00 and can't believe I am expected to do this without restorative gin and tonic this year.....!

BBCFK - what do you need for the Maternity Allowance form? I keep meaning to go and pick one up from the Job Centre in preparation for getting my MATB1 from the midwife on Monday. I was hoping it was simple . . .

Maveta - it's easier said then done, but do try not to worry. When you first went to the hospital, you said your blood glucose level was 41 (way below normal) and they gave you juice to try and bring it up. I am not a doctor but worked in diabetes research at a university in Canada for some time. It is way more likely that your blood glucose level would have been higher than normal if you do have gestational diabetes. Your GTT (glucose tolerance test) is very likely to be negative if you don't have some of the other risk factors like a history of type 2 diabetes in the family, obesity, and aren't from certain ethnic groups (African, south Asian, Aboriginal) that are naturally at higher risk. I'm sure you already know all these things from the research you've been doing but you don't seem to fit the profile of those who are at a naturally high risk for developing gestational diabetes. Anyway, obviously I don't know anything about your specific situation. You are doing the very best thing in getting it checked out and hopefully the results will reveal that everything is fine with you and your dear baby and you can put this behind you. Take care and don't worry!

Loving all the talk about DPs/DHs and cooking and so on. Like several others, I only work 3 days a week so do the majority of the housework and honestly don't mind it (at the moment, anyway!). DH doesn't do much cooking so is easily pleased with whatever I make. I don't give him much option in choosing the menus! What my DH does do (like some of you have mentioned) is leave the sink full of dirty, cold dishwater!!! Can't understand why! He says it is just in case he finds one more dish to wash.

Of course as always you are all right here at least GTT is a routine test but I am a worrier by nature. ho hum.

just went onto the jan ´07 postnatal thread. um, need i say more [openly weeps with fear smiley]??! MUST stop going on other threads, repeat MUST stop going on other threads

You won´t believe this. My cat, the one that went missing for 2.5 weeks, was found, was ill, has been loving restored to full health? Yeah THAT ungrateful little bastard..has jumped out the bathroom window and disappeared. This was a few hours ago, hopefully he will return but given his track record am aware he might not.

I swear to God. It´s like having a disobedient teenager in the house! He gets all surly and sulky when he can´t go out, escapes at the first opportunity and then breaks curfew. I completely wash my hands of him and refuse to be upset this time.

I SWEAR we don´t mistreat him. The other cat loves it here and wouldn´t leave us for all the chicken scraps in the world. He seems suspiciously happy to be alone in the house again. Should I suspect foul play?

Hi all

Sorry have only just skimmed the posts. Just wanted to post to Emmymummy - you should def come to Southampton with us lot

Also wanted to post to EllieK. Sorry, mine and DH ages made you think. I honestly don't notice the age gap anymore. I was 18 when we first got together and was often told I only looked about 12 we got loads of funny looks from people but family and friends were all fine about it. It did bother me a bit at the time, but now either they don't look in the same way or I look loads older so they have no reason to look.

I always wanted children and Allen was happy to have some more. He does say that it's much harder work than when he had his previous 2 but he also ssys he's a better Dad this time round. This will be our last as he feels he would be too old if we were to have more children in say 2/3yrs time when he would be approaching 45. I am happy with 2 and his 2 as well. I think a lot depends on your outlook on life etc.

Sorry that has turned into an epic.
Hope everyone ok. Will try to catch up more later. I'm at work at the moment. xx

Evening all.

Emmymummy, you have to come to the meet -up - please! Plus, ours was arranged far in advance of dd's! I know it's easier said than done, but we have had to say no to a few of dd's invites as have had other things planned.

Maveta, can't believe your cat! Don't they drive you mad!?

A bit worried, and sorry if tmi, as I know it is nearing dinner time. Anyway, went to the loo and wiped and had some blood streaked cm. The baby has been manic all day as well.

What do you think? I have no pain or anything, but this has spooked me a bit.

Hope everyone is ok this evening.

SOL - dont really know. I dont think its anything to worry about but id ring your mw or the delivery suite just to be on the safe side and see what they think. I think its quite common, well not unusual at any rate and if you've no pain then sounds ok but check in the front of your notes for what number to ring and i think there is something, in mine anyway, about when to ring who at what stage of pg. best to play it safe and speak to someone who knows what they are talking about!!

Hi SOL,

Yes, they do drive me up the wall but I guess it´s part of having cats and not dogs.. they are renowned for being supremely self absorbed and independant after all. Apparently that´s why we love them

I´m sorry if you´ve had a fright, I know I would, but I don´t have any idea what to suggest. I´m not sure what cm is? Was it just a pee you had? If not, were you straining and might it be haemarroids? Was it much or really just a little bit? Was it quite red i.e. recent or not so much? I don´t know what any of the answers to these questions might indicate (!!) but it might help narrow down possibilities?

and yeah, I agree with Pesha, it´s probably best to call someone and just check. Even if you feel a bit silly for panicking afterwards, it´s better to just check and that way it won´t play on your mind.