due in june - oh twunt, that is soon!!

[derlor]

new thread girls

They haven't sent me my customer number yet! When I did the same with Vertbaudet it took a couple of days. If you want to wait and get your free gift then I can email you my customer number when I get it, if not just do it now, I won't mind!!

All this free stuff has made me quite giddy!!

Look on this website for loads of free stuff!!

I'll wait a bit then hopefully we can both get a free gift!

Brill website! Just what I need to see me through the days! I've been signed of work sick for 2 weeks so I can chat all day on MN for a while! It's nothing serious though, just not coping very well and midwife and dr I think both feel a bit sorry for me and think I need a break! Will chat more tomorrow. Night night!

It's a great website! I'll never pay for stuff again!

Bumper, when I get my customer number I'll email it to you. Thanks for waiting, hopefully we'll get some good free gifts!! Hope you are feeling ok and you get some good rest, sleep well x

Morning everyone,

Seansgirl, I hope you are ok, sending medium sized baby vibes to you. Like you say, it's still early days and you don't know what will happen. I guess not knowing is really scary, but I hope your little one 'beefs up' soon! At least you are being monitored so they can keep an eye on you.

Well, it's the first day of my sick leave today and feel a bit weird about it. Part of me is really relieved, but part of me feels like a bit of a failure. People keep saying 'but you are obviously not coping very well' but that makes it sound like I'm doing something wrong, and not trying hard enough, and that I should just get on with it, because I'm only pg. But he other part of me thinks why should I feel like this just because I'm pg, I deserve to have a bit of time off to feel better. Especially after another restless night. I got woken up with agonising shooting pains going down my calf from cramp, and today it feels like I've pulled a muscle.

I spoke to my boss this morning and told him, he was fine about it but not overly sympathetic and I just worry that my colleagues think I'm making a big deal about everything, and it's not like I'm incapacitated or anything, and I'm certainly not going to stay cooped up in my flat for two weeks. Listen to me, I'm just waffling now. Going to have a look at H&A fab website and do some shopping instead!

morning bumperlicious!

Sorry to hear you feel bad about being signed off (although I'm not sorry you are signed off as you can now join our MN day world!).

bollocks to them, is what I say! Haven't we all suffered for our pregnancies, to bring new life into the world to pay for their pensions! Who's going to be paying into the system when they stop working?! Our kids, that's who!

That's the only reason I'm having 4, to make sure they can afford to put me in a decent home!

Day 1 of school holidays. They are annoying me already! Oh well, better go and get us all washed and dressed. Then I think we might head to the park for a picnic and do a spot of gardening this arvo.

Its a hard life, huh?

Blimey Holly - top website!

Morning everyone! Isn't it a lovely day! I've had practically no sleep, but feel surprisingly good! Interesting!

Bumper you are so not a failure! Working full time and being pg is really hard work and needing a rest is not a crime. I think everyone who is pg gets signed off at some point for something. It is not abnormal or a sign of not coping. Hope you get some lovely rest in!

Sounds like you've got a fun day of activities planned foxy. I am currently shopping online again with my super discount codes!!

squirmy puppies - thats a great description BadZ! How much longer are you going to work for?

I'm not sure Foxy...well the people I'm working for would have me in right up till D day...and I've told them another 7 weeks...but wondering if it's wise dragging myself out of the house for 8 hours a day, 3 days a week right up till the end given that DD1 was eight days early...guess I'll see how I feel. But as I'll have no income whilst on M leave, the dayrate they're paying me is rather attractive at the moment...every day translates to another 2 weeks off... Oh great and wise MN mums: tell me what to do!

Bumper - don't feel bad. I was signed off both previous PGs (this time packed up my crap job myself to avoid the stress that causes me to "not cope") (I am a "not coper"). Last time my GP prescibed me valium "to carry in my bag - no need to take if don't want to" as a mental crutch! I am weird (but we know that already re Clarkson...)
I am just knackered (went to bed too early as DHs daughter and friends actually visited for the first time in 3 years - after 10pm when I was in PJs and couldn't "do" people, and so couldn't sleep later on) and dreading having a third child considering I can't cope with two for a fortnight.
I have to get a wiggle on and ACHIEVE today as said stepdaughter and her friend are coming to stay at the weekend (if she's "allowed" she would like to go out on the town - she's nearly 20 for goodness sake!) so need to clear space amongst the toys for them to sleep. Will be looking at this free shopping business later on - how free are we talking?
Have made a list of things to do before the baby comes... uhoh.

Holly, that site is amazing! And Bad Zelda, LOL at squirming puppies. I feel more like I've got Rocky 1 in his training period (and sometimes the Karate Kid) - lots of jogging, kicks and jabs...
Re. work, BZ, it's really tricky - I'm in a similar boat but I can work at home which is very different I think... Having to commute would finish me off frankly - was on the tube at the weekend when it wasn't that busy and it was still an ordeal. How long are you planning to take off after the birth? And is there any way you could do some of your work at home or is it all definitely office-based?
And Bump, don't feel bad about time off - if you worry about it you won't be getting the benefits of relaxing! I know how you feel - I always used to feel guilty taking a day off work even if I was dying from the flu, but relaxing now is good for your baby's health as well as yours, so kick back, go for a gentle stroll and feel good about it. Or, you know, there's always online shopping...

Well, I'm only working 3 days a week in this office - and 2 days a week at home. I've been self-employed for seven years, so I can work at home whenever I like, but this (office-based) contract is well paid, so it's worth it at the moment.

Marylou - where do you live? I'm also a designer / developer / IA working on the web, and generally feel very lucky to have a job I love that's also reasonably well paid and flexible. Basically how long I take off after the birth depends on how much moolah I can save beforehand, as otherwise it's just stat maternity benefit of 100 quid a week for me. I was planning on going back to work (part time) in Jan.

I'm SW London. And you're right, working for yourself is really such a nice state of affairs. I guess if I were in your shoes I'd keep going until I found it got too much. I always know when that happens because I start getting irritable/weepy. I had a friend who started contractions during a meeting at work, and her labour was fine, so it can be done!!! (Not sure I'd recommend it though... )

BZ, wish I could give you some advice. It's a real conflict, you need money to get by, but that's no use if you don't have your health and sanity. You want to be ready for when the LO comes, and not burnt out.

Hmm, going to write a list too of things I need to buy before the baby comes. I already have a few things given/lent/promised to me, cot, moses basket, baby bath (only because it was given to us), baby bouncer, changing bag, push chair being bought by my dad (haven't chosen yet - but that is a WHOLE other thread!). Any advice on essentials that I need? Don't worry if you can't be bothered, as there are probably lots of these threads on the pg page but I know we like any excuse to talk about shopping...!

What I've got on my list (already have bath / changemat / etc from daughter)

• six babygroes
• six short sleeve vests
• six long sleeve vests
• dozen muslins
• 1 pack newborn nappies
• new breastpump and bottles
• steriliser
• 2 plastic sheets

it's quite short!

What I've got on my list (already have bath / changemat / etc from daughter)

• six babygroes
• six short sleeve vests
• six long sleeve vests
• dozen muslins
• 1 pack newborn nappies
• new breastpump and bottles
• steriliser
• 2 plastic sheets

it's quite short!

You are bad people. I have a half-tidied living room and the kids creating havoc upstairs and ... a La Redoute account.

... and a Vertbaudet one.

no no no, it not us! Its HOLLY!! She's baaaad!!

My list is pathetic! I'm only getting a new buggy because mine fell apart last weekend. And it won't even be for the new baby as Em needs it now.

lansinoh cream
breast pads
disposable knickers
bottles and teats, just in case
tub of formula, just in case
nappies
cot mattress

Its just not fair!!!!

Wow, those are pretty short lists which is reassuring. This may be a stupid question, and feel free to tell me to go and badger people on the other threads, but if I get a steriliser (was going to get a micro one) do I have do get bottles that match and is the same true for a breast pump?

I've ordered some muslins off ebay, and bidding on some breast pads. Been scouring the internet for some free samples too, but not much exciting I'm afraid.

Hey bumper

I got a mini-steriliser last time - which unfortunately my brother's wife threw away along with the all the other new baby stuff I passed on to her (she's a bit odd)..so will have to buy another one. However - it was great as we had really limited space at the time, and I was only using it to sterilise the Avent breastpump and mini bottles it came with:

www.babytec.co.uk/iqs/sid.0345095033942887209953/page15.html - costs less than 20 quid, so quite a bargain

I don't think you need to go down the whole bottle / steriliser and everything matching route if you're thinking of breastfeeding. Argos will sort you out for that if you do find bf'ing doesn't work for you? They do cheap and good big sterilisers for lots of bottles, then you'd also have the travel one if you go away anywhere

I am not planning to buy ANYTHING except nappies! (and formula and teats just in case, although that could probably wait until after the event). I had this conversation with my mum the other day and she was appalled. As far as I remember though, I kept everything as I wasn't ready to get rid of it (good job really!) I still have my cold water sterilisers, I borrowed a steam one from a friend last time which was brilliant but it blew up (I felt so guilty). I do want a cute outfit to hang at the end of the cot unit in hospital though 'cos I didn't have one with DS2 (it being neatly packed already) and mum felt sorry for me as I was the only mum without one. I have never had vests with long and short sleeves though, just the envelope neck ones.
Foxy, am curious (but tell me to mind my own business if you want), as you have other children how long are you thinkning of staying in hospital after the birth? I fancy a short burst away from home to get used to the idea (overnight perhaps), but I don't know. Just fancied someone elses perspective...

Thanks girls for all the kind thoughts and words, its really lovely to have you lot as mates

I am ok, not stressing too much, I am going with my original gut instinct that I just don't grow huge babies - not that they are small in the general scheme of things just compared to me. Therefore if LOs growth continues steadily upwards (all be it on a lower level than they would have liked) and doesn't drop or plateau then I think I'll be allowed to go to term. I completely understand why they are being cautious, after all how would I feel if they just ignored these things and LO was in distress? At least they are keeping an eye on things and there are some women that have to go through worse than this. So am now going to stop dwelling try and not overdo things and plan some shopping as have not done a thing.

On the list for me is:

-a cradle (borrowed a moses basket last time and DD hated it)
-steriliser (had a microwave one last time and would recommend)
-Bottles, teats and formula (Aptamil)
-napppies
-muslims
-baby gros and vests, some socks/hat/sunhat/mits
-grobags and gro bag room thermometer
-possibly new pram/buggy depending if sell the ones I have
-towelling bath support
-breast pads
-cheap basic multipack of big pants

Great website Holly! Have put it my favourites.

Bumper, really don't feel bad about being off, this is a very important time in your life and you have to prepare mentally and physically about it for LOs and your sake too. Have fun while your off!

On the saddo front I have had no weird dreams but have started to find Captain Feathersword from the Wiggles quite appealing..... how sad is that?

You've just reminded me to add heavy duty sanitary towels to that list...really hope I don't have heavy bleeding for six weeks after birth like I did with number one...that freaked me out a lot, especially as I wasn't expecting it at all

Good reminder BZ, used tenalady incontinence (sp?) pads for first few days and BIG ones thereafter