September #4

[Frillyhorseyknickers]

I couldn't see one - hopefully I haven't duplicated...

A weekend of centerparcs and I'm marshmallowed out!!

Say like MrsY87 I had EMCS last time (long induction, baby got stuck at 7cm, finally get CS after 4 days in hospital), but it was still a very calm and relaxed experience. By that stage I was exhausted and just wanted baby out.

Everyone in theatre was lovely, you get introduced to everyone there, the anaesthetist was the best, he sat by my head and explained everything that was going on. My one gripe is that I didn't get skin to skin until in recovery. Baby has handed to Ex partner who was clueless and worried about dropping him, DS was so wrapped up I couldn't even see his face!

Going for ELCS this time at 39 weeks and really looking forward to it, going to request skin to skin in theatre but other than that, no other requests, happy with radio and we know the sex and don't think DH is bothered about cutting the cord (they cut it when they take baby out though and dad would just cut it shorter, so seems a big pointless really)..

Good idea about buying close to due date. Glad to know I'm on the right path - I'm not going to worry about 'outfits' (trousers/tshirts) until we're past the first month or so.

Also starting to paint the nursery. It's getting very real now!

I'm taking 7 vests (with short sleeves) and 4 sleepsuits to start with. They're in mothercare newborn size (up to 7.5lb)....second baby though and I'm having growth scans so i have a good idea of size.

I was in the situation last time where none of the clothes I'd taken to hospital fit DD but it was easily solved by getting my mum to go to the shops the day she was born - so don't panic (providing you live near a suitable shop!)

I had a scare this morning. A little bleed. Never bled before in this pregnancy or my first so I freaked out initially at the sight of the bright red blood. Had lower back pain too but as i have SPD i didnt know if there was anything to worry about with that. Phoned hubby but he was ages away. Called my mum and she left work within 5 minutes. Once I got hold of my midwife she told me she wanted me to get checked out at the hospital. Thankfully all was OK but I do have some ketones.

I feel a bit wiped out now. I had very little sleep last night because my hips were so painful, and the worry and stress has left me even more tired.

10 weeks left to go. Though something tells me I'm not going to make it to 40 weeks

cold that sounds terrifying, take care of yourself.

fluffy - out of interest, what was wrong with what you bought last time? I'm mildly worried that I'll show up with the wrong stuff.

Essential the actual clothes were fine but they were far far too big (she was born on the 1st percentile so took us all a little by surprise), push come to shove she could have worn them but it was ideal my mum could get better fitting clothes on her way in to see us.

I forgot to say I'll also be packing a couple of hats, and a baby blanket (hospital provided last time but nice to have one of your own).

One of my biggest tips is to take one of your own pillows (in a coloured pillowcase so you can keep track of it), I found the hospital didn't supply enough and it made sleeping a lot more comfy.

Glad you're ok ColdFeet

Hope you're ok today cold, that must have been scary

Thank you essential, star and fluffy.

I'm feeling OK so far today but will definitely be taking it easier. My mum and dad are worried and checking up on me, making sure I don't do anything strenuous (if my mum had her way I'd be on bedrest). DH is so chilled out he's not worried as Dr said all is well - he told me he won't worry until he is told there is something to worry about. Having said that he fell asleep cuddled up to me with his hand on bump lady night, instead of curled up on his own side

As much as Dr said yesterday that everything is OK I think I'm going to be a little bit anxious until baby is here now.

coldfeet it must have been scary but it sounds like it's ok. My sister had some bleeding (and fell down a very steep flight of stairs) but was fine and didn't give birth til a couple of days after her due date.

I'm feeling much less sick thank God. Just hope it continues. I finish work next week too and I don't seem to have any work left to do! Finally have a completion date set for moving house. I'll be 35 weeks - what could possibly go wrong?! If it gets put back further I will not be happy.

Cold feet I'm glad to hear everything is ok and Lules that you're getting a break in the sickness. I just can't comprehend how awful it must be to feel and be sick for the best part of a year.

My doctor just signed me off work until next Sunday - my PGP is just too bad and with a recent blood test showing low red blood cells and low iron she says I need to rest.

I really wanted to not have to take any time off but mentally I'm feeling much brighter knowing I don't have to worry about work for the next week. Looks like a day of watching Wimbledon for me!

Hope everyone is good - not much longer to go for us all to go now 😱!!!!

Thanks Olivers and MrsY. I have my consultant appointment next Wednesday so I'm hoping I have a bit of a firmer plan after that if they don't put a million obstacles in the way...

Sorry to hear you've had a tough time of it coldfeet. That must have been quite a shock.

It is incredible to think that babies may start arriving soon. I wonder who will be the first on the thread! I am so far off getting bags ready it's unreal. We're mostly living in one room while the kitchen work is ongoing. I don't remember what we took for dd but I do remember DH having to dash out for some smaller sleepsuits when she arrived at 6lbs 14oz and everything swamped her

Morning all, haven't been on for ages!

Left work yesterday stressed and anxious after meetings all day and I've decided I need to ask for my work load to be cut. I usually get a massive buzz from being busy but I'm in danger of missing deadlines at the moment and I can't cope with the feeling of being on edge!

I definitely feel like time is ticking on my enthusiasm at work - it's hard to keep up the pace when I know in 5 weeks I'll be off for a year, and potentially never returning (lots of redundancies due in my team).

I just feel so huge now - I am consciously not putting things on the floor/sitting down to do most tasks and it's definitely helping.

Should get my cs date tomorrow and will be keen to see how baby's growing at my scan.

Hope everyone's ok!

The bleed sounds scary Coldfeet- glad it seems like everything is working out ok.

I am completely done with work at 34 weeks today. 1 week left to go, hooray! Was reduced to tears trying to roll over in bed last night and get up this morning so really hoping physio this week helps the SPD.

I'm still not sure what to do with work - any ideas from anyone?

I'm self-employed, WFH. I still haven't submitted my Maternity Allowance form - I should be eligible for the full amount - because midwife is faffing with the MAT1B. I have no idea when to declare myself on maternity leave - I don't commute so work is still very do-able (though I feel myself slowing down), not sure whether to go off soon or carry on till 38 weeks or so.

I guess I don't want to sit around with nothing to do - it'll just spike my anxiety.

Frilly, Fluffy another one here struggling to motivate myself to keep up my normal workload. 30wks tomorrow and I seem to have tired myself out of the last few days.

7 weeks of work left for me with 2 weeks of that on annual leave. Hopefully another 5 or 6 weeks and our builders will be finished too. It can't come soon enough! Fed up of a dusty unkempt house after 3 months of it.

How are you getting on coldfeet? I hope you've managed to rest up.

Essential if I could, and had no commute, I'd work up until 37 weeks. That's when my maternity leave kicks in anyway, but I've taken a fortnight holiday first. You need to do what feels best for you of course. Do you have to decide now? How far in advance do you need to declare?

Essential only you know what's best but if you are coping ok and feel you can keep going then I would try and get as close to due date as possible...does your maternity allowance kick in the minute you apply or do you get to give them an effective date?

Thanks both. I believe I can give them an effective date (or even backdate it slightly).

I suppose my concern is that I'll suddenly feel much more tired/less able to work, and will then be kicking myself that I asked for a 37/38 week start... not quite sure. I guess if most people (who actually have to commute!) manage to work through to 37ish weeks, there's no reason why I shouldn't.

It's so hard isn't it? I find my ability to cope changes on an almost daily basis!

All I know is that I'm always tempted to go off earlier but last time in hindsight I'm pleased I held out until 37 weeks so will hold out until then this time too. I only have a 10 min commute though - imagine I'd go earlier if it was longer.

I'm going to 37 weeks too - 5 more weeks! Ordinarily a 20-30 min commute with a fair bit of working from home and only a couple more 1hr15 trips to another office left to do. Agree that some days I'm on it, totally as productive as normal and others I struggle and am a bit of a zombie. I'm using those days to do admin type stuff to tidy up for my cover.

I finish this week. 3 more days left! 3 weeks is annual leave though and I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't been so sick. I am feeling a lot better so hopefully I'll be able to enjoy it a bit.

I think the baby has really moved down. The constant pressure on my bladder is annoying!

Hi all. Everything seems to be going OK since the bleed on Thursday. Just the normal SPD/PGP. saw family all weekend and even though we had people at ours for a bbq yesterday DH did the majority of housework before they got here, and as soon as she arrived my mum helped him with dinner and sent me to sit down. Had a nice relaxing day in garden today while DD was at nursery (making the most of her last week!!).

Ruth I hope physio can help you with your SPD. I saw a NHS one at 22 and 24 weeks but he wasn't that helpful. I have since bought myself a support belt and crutches. I'm in pain 24/7 with mine. Often cry whilst trying to roll over / get out of bed. The only thing that I have found to work so far is using wheat bags / heat packs. DH repeatedly heats two up for me throughout an evening when I'm laying in bed (once I put DD to bed I stay upstairs - I can't manage the stairs when it gets too late. The later it is, the harder it is for me to lift my feet off the ground). I lay one wheat bag across each hip, making sure they cover the public bone. It doesn't get rid of all pain, especially the front, but it does help to relieve the stiffness and make it a bit easier to move.
Strangely enough I'm finding it easier to cope with SPD now. I'm not sure whether it's because I'm used to the pain (started at 16 weeks) or whether since I hit the third trimester the end seems to be in sight!! I am also using the crutches / wheat bags more now rather than waiting for it to be really bad.

A big part of me is itching to get stuff ready. Mum and dad are coming this weekend to help DH decorate baby's room. Hopefully that will make me feel like we're more organised!!

Wow cold it really sounds tough with the spd, home straight now like you said though! Glad you're getting lots of support from family.

I got signed off for my cs today, all being well DD will be delivered on 4th sept! Makes it all seem very real - 7 weeks today