May 2017 #11 Not long to go until the first baby shows!

[PeachIcedT]

It only took us two weeks to fill up the last thread!

Link to previous thread #10:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/2875150-may-2017-10-to-be-prepared-or-not-prepared

Link to the May data sheet: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KVJO4NGD6JrcGRGQuYnx87mLaadV5ytrP4lDfdqLrUQ/edit#gid=0

Tea that basically sounds like everyone at my work. I think I'm a fairly private person at work and I'm finding it quite annoying that 90% of my conversations are about pregnancy and babies. I suppose it's nice they are interested but I'm still a person capable of talking about other things! I find it a bit too intrusive too so try to change the subject when I can!

Nightmare Clare! I'm the same re privacy but also a little superstitious, I don't like to assume that all will be well and I'll definitely have a baby in the next few weeks!

@teainbed that's been one of the biggest advantages of working so virtually, I only had to tell a handful of people. Once we met in February and my replacements have started to come on board it became "the" topic of conversation soooooo frustrating...

@adventuregame Ah brill, thanks! Great tip :)

@teainbed Ugh, YES! And it's always the women in my office who I would think would be a bit more conscientious about it (given some of them have been pregnant before). Even worse is my one colleague who feels the need 3-4 times a week to comment on the size of my bump as soon as she walks in. Today she asked me if I ate a whole turkey over the weekend Let's just say, my polite responses are starting to take a turn.

tea, claire I'm trying to treat it as a way of me practising being a bit more accessible... I know I come across colder than I am because I'm rather private, so I'm finding a good line in bland baby chat that doesn't actually disclose much!

Fingers crossed for the placenta Claire.

Sounds like the health visitor visit is a new thing then. Good idea on some ways to give the info about bfeeding support before the baby is born. I hope she doesn't want to see where the baby will be sleeping as the crib isn't coming til mid may.

That’s a shame you had to give up your plot Teaspoon, but understandable. It will be a tricky balance with a baby – my plan is to grow things like to grow in a sprawling mess naturally so no one can complain too much that it looks untidy!

Ooh spa days, I’m heading off with DH to our University town on Thursday where they have a fabulous spa so I am looking forward to that. Was initially worried about the temperature of the water but from what I’ve researched its fine as long as not exercising (I sure won’t be!).

Glad for the blanket talk, I only have one cellular blanket though. It seems to be so easy to make baby too warm. In fact, I went out and bought almost everything I need for my hospital bag today but was stumped on bodysuits, would you say I should be buying long or short sleeved bodysuits for May?

MrsJW15 that sounds annoying about the in-laws, it sounds like they don’t quite understand why it is a problem. My in-laws are also going abroad over my due date, but they booked it before they knew, it’s only for 5 days and they live fairly far away anyway so wouldn’t be coming down on the day of the birth.

KLane great idea with the plug plant ordering, and very organised! I’m always interested in what others choose to grow – you’re right in that this year we’ll have more time out in the garden to tend to stuff – though I can imagine in my sleep-deprived stupor pulling out my plants and leaving in the weeds.

Glad all ok with your growth scan teainbed and hope the scan went well Claire and placenta has moved up. And good news that all looking good at your 31 week check badger.

@KLane if you become a member of fb group 'car seat advice for mummies and daddies' you could post a photo of your installation afterwards and send it to admin or post it, so they can check if you did it right. The admins are really very knowledgeable xxx

@EsmesBees - if the hv asks - tell them as it's warmer you don't have a crib and you're just going to put the pushchair outside at night with a couple of blankets if it's chilly..

@EsmesBees @savagehk I asked about mine as I was meant to have it at 34 weeks, but it's been cancelled as we are having a HV restructure in our area aka I don't think they exist! I think I will have the midwife coming over, so I guess I'll have to clear up all the random books and things that are holding the house together 

@RedBlu I've been signed off since 24/25 weeks as Bub had a heart condition and my SPD was horrendous. Work were meant to organise a return to work interview for me but ignored my emails/phone calls about it and now they are ignoring my phone calls about the 16days leave that I'm owed. I sent an email last week politely reminding the secretary that annual leave finishes the end of March and I will lose it unless they act, and I got told "like I told you before, be patient and you might get a solution". I didn't reply back 

@KLane the car seat worries me too! I need to get DH to sort it. We have a brand new juke and then we have a 20year old Peugeot that I "adopted" off my grandpa. We use the old car as it's huge and more reliable (the Juke's battery is awful despite servicing!) so we need to see if the car seat will fit in there okay. I think we might get an isofix for the juke if we have problems.

@RasperryInAMelon do what's best for you! I was "forced" into going off sick by my midwife, consultant and Occupational Health. They were all super supportive as work were awful. How you feeling today?

@Rustler74 The midwifes were lovely last night. I just cried saying "sob I'm a nurse and I'm so worried as I don't know what's going on sob!" & she was really understanding. I've literally spent all day in bed with the cats, and I do feel better for it. Tomorrow I have the midwife and meeting a friend for lunch who has just found out she's pregnant!

I can't remember who asked about my hip! I have never had an ostomy; it was offered to me in the middle of my nurse training but I said after uni... but then it was work, buying a house, marriage and now baby. I need it doing but I'm such a wimp. My plan is when Bub is a little bit older and I'm in a good, supportive job!

I haven't even thought about lights when feeding! We have a stand alone ikea light in our room; it's not too dull but not too bright, you can sleep through it. I'm tempted to use that rather than my bright bedside lamp I use for reading.

I ought to get up, but nah...

Redblu People tend to find SPD pain is better if the hips are above the level of the knees, so are you able to slightly tilt the seat of your chair forwards to change the angle? Otherwise I know you can get wedge shaped cushions (with the thick bit at the back) that do a similar thing...

Lullaby / savage I think it's odeon cinemas that do the mums and baby screenings - they're called Newbies screenings.

Tea I had to leave the office at work today after one helpful colleague told me about the fifth thing I "had to do" with regards looking after my baby - it was a teething ring which would go in a freezer that was the final straw...

I'm also having to tell patients it's my last week so they won't be seeing me again and they're all acting so shocked when I tell them I'm going on mat leave as they must have just assumed I'd got fat. Then they won't stop asking me questions about the baby and won't let me finish their appointment...

Haha Wish! I doubt that would be the worst they hear round here either. Glad your DD doesn't sound too poorly with the chicken pox. Good to get it out the way before the new born comes.

And Barnes to be fair to your colleague, those teething rings are amazing . I will admit that my tendency to offer unsolicited advice has increased loads since having a baby. I try and keep it in at work as it's not very professional (and give it on here instead...)

Just came back from the scan. Baby is looking good and weighs 4lb9 but the placenta is still too low so I'm going to have to go back at 36 weeks to check again. I've been told to go in immediately if I have any bleeding and told it's quite likely that this will happen at some points. Feeling a bit scared and need to stop reading about placenta previa online because I'm scaring myself even more now!

@EsmesBees that was me yesterday - I genuinely kicked something under the bed because I couldn't reach 🙈

@lullaby23 sliding down the bed it is!

Good news @teainbed @Badgerbird

I don't mind the baby and pregnancy chat personally, what I mind though is being given parenting and pregnancy advice from people who haven't got the first clue.

@KLane I work with a lady who's put on an incredible amount of weight in the 10 months I've worked there yet feels it ok to comment on my weight and size 😤

@PeachIcedT I think saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzis are a no no and the pool is ok as long as at under 35

I've packed a few short and long sleeved suits just to be on the safe side.

@nursebickypegs I'm feeling ok I guess. Just sat at Charing Cross waiting to get a 40 min train home. It's payroll day today so I had to work late, but it should be the last late night I do.

@Barnes79 thanks for the cinema tip - I'll have a nosey

Hey gang. Just back from my MW appt. BP in the green. No glucose detected. Strong heartbeat BUT still breach. So poss need for CS.

Got home just in time to catch a lengthy report about an avoidable death in Tunbridge Wells following a CS . Trying to not think about it but starting to get shaky whenever I think about the birth.

Still no idea re anticipated size/ weight. Asked MW again, who just says "I don't do that - have to wait until your next scan". Grrr

claire fingers crossed for next scan. Step away from the google. If you went to term and tried to give birth vaginally then yes it would be dangerous, but they know it's there, it might move, and if you went into labour they'd have baby out and you both safe asap!

teaspoon have you tried the spinning babies stuff yet?

Oh poor you teaspoon. How many weeks are you? The consultant I saw today said they can still turn until 36 weeks. There are lots of exercises on the turning babies site and there is always the option of the midwifes trying to turn the baby. Plus most women recover really well from c sections, and some choose them over vaginal births.

@Teaspoon74 DH bought me a CS book as I was scared about this. It's really biased but hey, what medical book isn't. I can send you the picture of it if you like? Thinking of you!

@Barnes79 I call this the "uncanny valley" where no one knows if you have packed on the weight,
or you're pregnant. Only one of my patients said he "knew it" and that he will really miss when I go on leave.

Esmes and other mummies we love your advice - keep it up!!

I quite like that 50% of our 500 strong staff team now stop me to have a quick chat whenever I let them catch my eye - but I do know a lot about a lot of peoples nieces/ neighbours/ daughters friends etc who also happen to be pregnant . And it can get a bit much!!

Re the HV home visits, I totally get that people on this group probably think it's not the best use of their time as we're all on here because we're interested in preparing ourselves, our environments and our relationships for our babies arrivals. Not all babies are this lucky. I used to do loads of home visits to families with my job. Anyone else who has done similar will also have experienced the joys of cat shit smeared over the walls, dirty nappies piled outside the back door, bottles of used milk moulding on the kitchen worktop and sofas that you perch on the arm of because god only knows what has stained the seat covers. It is surprisingly hard to guess which front doors these lovely scenes lurk behind!! For the 49 houses they visit with no issues whatsoever, at least the 1 where significant changes are required can be spotted early doors.

11 days left at work here - trying to enjoy them as much as possible but my oh my the knackeredness!!!

Some clients have been adorable, hugged me, bought me baby presents.

Others have reacted with "What are we going to DO when you're off?! You better be coming back!" Which depends how it is said as is nice coming from some people but other people just end up sounding a bit self-entitled.. er yeah I'm going to cut maternity leave short so I can come back and treat your dogs ear infections

Do they make you have a CS for breech presentation now then?
I was full breech when I was born. My mum never tires of telling me! took her hours to get me out, but we're all ok! I'd want them to at least let me try before they demanded a CS... when it comes up I tell people that this is why I'll never have a wrinkly face, and all my wrinkles will be hidden on my bum instead!

On another note, what have people got for themselves post-natally?

How many sanitary towels do we need? I've so far got 30 x maternity towels and a box of my usual period towels (heavy ones). And several pairs of big knickers.

I've got a peri bottle for squeezing over warm water when I wee .

Read a few Pinterest posts about witch hazel pads/haemorrhoid cream, numbing spray, stool softener etc - seems to be loads of stuff but is it all any good?

Then I get slightly stressed thinking about it and go and look at cute baby stuff instead .

Teaspoon can you not use the growth chart to estimate what size your LO will be? I looked at mine and the middle line, at week 40, equates to about 7lb, so if I stay on the same growth curve mine should be about that size. I think the growth curves are personalised based on our starting height/weights so it might give some idea...

Savage Thanks for the book - it arrived today so I'm about to settle down in bed to read it to swot up before my next NCT class tomorrow which I'm semi dreading

Everyone - don't get me wrong, I love the advice on here! It's more the unsolicited stuff that gets thrown at me at work that annoys me after a while...