August 2016 number 5 - waddling towards the third trimester!

[Mslg]

For the August 2016 ladies and babies!

Christine hospital visits, here at least, were organised through the community midwife I think. But actually what happened was that at the antenatal classes they showed a video of the maternity ward and birthing rooms. The rational was to minimise the unnecessary foot traffic through the maternity unit I think... (This was 3yrs ago mind you). In reality the hospital that we were booked in to was full on the day so we were ambulanced to another and we would never have scouted that one out anyway!

Having to go elsewhere is never something I've thought of! Oh god I have no idea where the nearest after ours is (ours is 40 minutes away anyway!)

That wasn't supposed to panic you...! It's not totally unknown to happen BUT the majority of births will take place in the hospital you opted for.

Better to be sent elsewhere then give birth in the corridor I guess!

If it meant this pregnancy being over I'd give birth in a bush

Is anyone planning to get their partner a Father's Day present/card?

If it meant this pregnancy being over I'd give birth in a bush

Lol, hear you!

sophia I made a moonpig card (didn't include a scan picture as i didn't want it to feel like that was from 'the bump' and this is the baby now she's born) I don't know, made sense in my head. It just feels like it kind of expires when she's born as something to look back on, so just signed it as "princess" instead as that's what we call her. (Also didn't want to put a name incase we change our mind) and will look for a present tomorrow

I bought him a card! Feels a bit weird but I got a card and flowers for Mother's Day earlier this year so I thought why not!

Hi guys, sorry I've been a bit AWOL recently. I have a bit of a 'what would you do?' for you. Apologies in advance for the length!

There' s a new post currently advertised at my work, a grade above my current. I've been included in process of getting this post funded and in some ways it's been designed with me in mind, though I wouldn't necessarily say I'm earmarked for it. It'd be great for my career and a big new challenge, but it's 3 year fixed term, whereas at the moment I'm permanent. From what I've been told it's unlikely that interviews will take place before I'm 38 weeks. I finish work at 36 weeks. It's also unclear when this post would need to start (I've been planning to take almost the full 12 months mat leave). At the same time I have an application in the pipeline for the formal promotion process. So far it's looking positive and I've been told that more than 90% of those who get through to the stage I'm at with it get the promotion. So this would mean moving up a grade and staying permanent, though potentially fewer immediate opportunities to drive my career in the way I'd ideally like to. I won't find out if I've got it until January.

My plan has been to apply for the new post and then if I did get offered it to see if I could negotiate a secondment to that post from my current so staying permanent with the hope of getting promoted in the background concurrently so that I wouldn't have to move back down after the contract ended (there's precedent for this in my department). If that didn't come off I'm pretty sure I'd decline and just pin my hopes on the promotion process (security is my top priority at the moment being in the family way). However I just found out today a) about the timeline for the interviews and b) that there's new policy that seems to now dictate against the sort of situation I'd be negotiating for. I was already feeling quite stressed out between this, other work pressures and baby anxiety, and the idea of interviewing at 38+ weeks (or when I have a bfing newborn) freaks me out. I just want to stop thinking about work altogether when I finish at 36 weeks and put all my energies into getting sorted out for bub's arrival. So I'm considering not even applying for this new post at all and saving the stress. That might not go down very well with the boss though, and I don't want to be seen as lacking in ambition as that could undermine my position in the long-term. Nor do I want to seem presumptuous by trying to get clarity on what would and wouldn't be negotiable in the event of a job offer before even getting shortlisted!

My pregnant brain can't deal with this! WWYD in my situation? I know it's only me that can figure it out what's the best course of action but I'd really like to hear your perspectives!

Id stick with what you've got. It's a sure thing, you get 12 months with your baby, there's no extra stress, pressure or requirements, you know what you're doing and how your job suits you and with a newborn/toddler I think that's what I'd be happy with. Good luck with your decision!

Crunchy Could you start by getting clarity on how the interview process would work if you're already on maternity leave / potentially have a newborn at the interview stage?
For what it's worth, I'm not sure you would be being presumptuous by getting more clarity on how things would work if you did get offered the job. A job application is a two way process and you need to make sure the job would suit you, just as much as they need to ensure you're suitable for the role.

Crunchy - if you just want to stop thinking about work after 36 weeks then I'd let this one go and pursue the promotion process you've already started. On the other hand, if this sounds like something you'd really enjoy, you'd be fine to interview at 38 weeks. I worked right up to 41 weeks with my first 2, sending emails on the way to the hospital to be induced.

I just got a new boss this week, my third since I've known I'm pregnant. It's stressing me out, but for me at least I have a couple of weeks to get established with her before I start mat leave.

Difficult one on the jobs there crunchy. Is the 3 year job time dependant, would be my main issue. Does it need to be done over the next 3 years? If so, are they going to be able to give you the job if they then need to find someone to start the job as your mat cover for a year straight away? Or is it a 3 year specific project that they could wait a year for you to start?

Definitely having my most uncomfortable day so far. Woke up in agony in the middle of the night with awful cramp. Out and about with the hubby and having Braxton Hicks, just feeling generally achy and knackered. On the plus side my acid reflux isn't so bad and I've got a great new haircut.

I'm totally with you there hgleslie it still feels like such a long time too. My bh are getting so uncomfortable too and every time the baby moves it kind of hurts, guess there's not much room left in there!

Do Braxton hicks feel like cramping or tightening?

Thanks for the prescription advice Salene Just got a huge bottle of aniseed flavour 'peptac liquid' for free from Boots - yay!

Had my NHS antenatal class today and it was brilliant. Midwife was lovely and reassuring and very pro-hypnobirthing and water birthing. Apparently midwives at Newcastle are going to be receiving hypnobirthing training. Got a tour of the birthing centre too, which is lovely, and very relieved to find out that midwife could only think of 3 occasions in last 2 years when all the rooms with pools had been full. Also went and bought some ridiculously comfortable sandals from Clarks :-)

Aw that's great news your NHS area also does the minor aliments clinic Sophia I think some in England do

You can get thrush treatment etc too on it and it's great for when you have baby as you get lots of stuff for free on it like aveeno for dry skin and calpol etc.

Hi all, just checking in from IoW festival! Having an amazing time, think DD has found her spiritual home the only downside of being super pregnant is needing to pee constantly - lots of queuing for portaloos, eek. Was really worried hips would be a nightmare but I've been fine - is it possible for SPD to spontaneously resolve?! Don't know but I'm very grateful to be ok! Have been taking it much easier than I normally would so maybe that's why. 33+1, it's going scarily fast! Less than 4 weeks til full term!

Uh salene I so envy you feeling like its flying by! I don't think I've ever said "it's going quick", when everyone says it to me, my response is "yeah! I'm sure it does from the outside where you don't feel like shit!" Glad you're having fun and are feeling good though! (Genuine despite my jealousy), I don't envy the toilet situation though!

Glad all is well glenco, it's pouring with rain here so hope it's a bit better for you there. My friend is there with a tie dye stall actually!

Went to a BBQ today and there was a friend there who is 20 weeks pg. She is tiny with a very neat little bump. I felt like a whale next to her! Roll on mid August I say!

Dileas I'm wondering about Braxton Hicks too.

I quite often get an uncomfortable tightening sensation around my bump, sort of like I've eaten too much and I'm really full to burst maybe? (I often have to stop and think "wait, I haven't actually eaten yet.." or not eaten that much). It often happens a lot after a busy day or if I've done something strenuous, like wrestling DS into his car seat when he really doesn't want to get in! I basically feel like I'm actually going to pop!

So I guess my question is...is this Braxton Hicks? Can you get them after doing a bit too much?

If so, then tomorrow should be interesting..we're finally moving into our new house!

Dileas and long, I've been getting this too, yesterday and today really bad whilst walking round shops. My stomach went all hard and it felt like she had got twice as big. Felt like my skin might split! Such a weird sensation, and not very pleasant. Only later in the evening when I was relaxed in bed did it go back to normal. Friends have said it was Braxton hicks, it got me a bit worried!!

Also, anyone else getting foot cramps! I've had loads! No fun!!