May 2017 #4

[WishIWasSleeping]

Oh, obviously I do know how!

newbie no pains this time, but with my first I had really bad round ligament pain around 20 wks. Do you think that's what it could be?

That's really unprofessional of him badger. I'm not surprised you are upset. I've no idea what the rules are for nannies, but in most jobs that would not be allowed without making your role formally redundant.

Great news jennymac. Nice to know that all is on track and what you are having already.

Thanks miss, savage & esme, I'm self employed so no redundancy or mat leave but would have been nice to know what their thoughts were in a considerate thought out manner rather than a flippant comment Hey ho at least I know waaaay in advance! And yes I will definitely be talking to them about it so I know where I stand.

Yes definitely dry skin over here too! Got bright red circles round my eyes from eczema which looks bloody awful! Have been using johnsons body oil straight out the shower which seems to be working on my body and my friends got me some bump cream so I'm slathering that on often too.

I told DH yesterday to make sure no one does a baby shower for me! I wouldn't hate it but I think I'd feel a bit like I was tempting fate or something. Wouldn't mind a meet up with one group of friends (I'm first to have a baby) but I'll see my other friends plenty as they all have kids already and can't wait for me to join their meet ups with my own!

Badger that's a really rubbish way for you to find out! I hope they sit down and go through things with you properly soon. Shouldn't you be entitled to redundancy pay as others have said if they let you go? Are they allowed to do that when you're pregnant?

Thanks Esme for your post. I've seen the GP today due to horrible travel sickness and she mentioned if the pain doesn't go away I need to come back.

Badger I am so sorry to hear that, it is not a good news and he should not "just to mention it casually". That is very unprofessional

Is anyone else considering hypnobirthing? I've heard wonders...

Also love feeling the baby kick. It's all the time now. 19+2

lotte I used the CDs last time, but I was a bit fed up when things went off piste that I stopped listening to the music and doing the mental exercises when in labour. I'm going to try again this time, with more mental prep for going off piste!, but I've also signed up to a course rather than just doing it on my own as I think that may work better. I kept falling asleep to the CDs last time :)

I did and I thought it worked quite well until I was 7-8cm and then I panicked and the usual transition stuff (I'm not ready, I want to go home, I can't do it!) kicked in.

You should also tell your midwife if you are intending to hypnobirth - apparently some women go almost non-responsive and if they know it's because you're hypnobirthing that's fine, but otherwise they could panic a little!

Agree with nelly, reckon it works better for some labours than others. But in my opinion, most of how you get on is luck of the draw. I did no preparation at all and had a fast, straight forward labour. My nct friend paid for hypnobirthing classes and read all the books, and laboured for 3 days and ended up with a c-section.

So what do the hypnobirthing CDs/courses consist of?

I have in the past gone through painful things by talking myself through it and making myself breathe slowly and intentionally release the tension in my muscles and it definitely helped (kind of like 'yoga' breathing but I mainly made it up).

Is it like this sort of thing but more structured?

Rubbish badger consider getting some employment advice before your convo with employers, just in case you find out anything you didn't already know about your rights.

For dry skin I've gone back to buying a bottle of glycerine from Boots and mixing it with about 40% water in a pump bottle. Very cheap and what my mum, who has the softest skin of anyone I know, uses. No idea if it's ok for skin conditions though. And I use it on legs, arms, tummy and lower back only, with a lighter moisturiser elsewhere. And as it takes 10 mins or so to soak in I do make up in dressing gown after applying, wash dressing gown fairly frequently. Apart from the provisos, it's ace

Yes Autumn but with extra visualisation - you visualise a calming place in your mind and with practise you can concentrate on that instead of the real world. Will see how the course differs from the CDs!

Thanks savage. Might give it a go!

This cream is great for dry skin and eczema, called Hopes Relief.

Thanks grow and newbie, it's a shame after all this time. And no redundancy as I'm self employed.

I'm really up for trying out hypnobirthing. Used quite a bit of hypnotherapy, meditations etc whilst ttc and not done any since I'll check out the cds mentioned and look for a course I think. Anyone been on an actual course?

savage see what you mean about telling them due to non responsiveness, that could be scary and confusing!!

newbie could it be stretching? Can you call midwife for reassurance?

badger that's really bad of your employer especially since you've been with them for so long. Sorry I have no advice on your rights as a self employed person but I hope you can check CBA or similar. I'm sure you can get more work in the future as a nanny bringing baby with you but that's not the point.

hungarian good tip on glycerine I actually bought a bottle from Boots intending to use it on my heels, might give it a go on my hand before bed. Does it have to be watered down?

I think hypnobirthing sounds amazing if you are a mind over matter person, I did a bit of reading though didn't end up using it. I did think this book was a good read: www.amazon.co.uk/Birth-Skills-Proven-pain-management-techniques-ebook/dp/B01HP9V0I4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481081811&sr=1-1&keywords=juju+sundin+birth+skills

Sorry, CAB not CBA!

Maternity Action have a free advice line on employment issues when pregnant/on maternity, I'd give them a ring badger, then organise a proper chat with the family you work with.

Badger hope you've managed to speak with them. Is there any chance he was referring to your maternity leave, presumably you'll have some time off?

My Harmony results came back really quickly! All low risk, such a relief.

Lullaby mine were quick too. Less than a week. Did you find out boy/girl ?

8 days here, I was so surprised to get the call. Yes it's a girl! Did you find out?

Badger, I haven't done a course, but I did have a session initially when I was panicking about MCing. I was planning on keeping it up, until I found out that my work doesn't allow any type of hypno therapy, so I had to stop!

I did find it useful, and I loved the 'being put to sleep' bit. It was very relaxing and calming, and I would definitely suggest it to people!