Due November No3

[Twinkie]

Hi All - sorry hope you don't mind me starting a new thread but my laptop won;t let me put a message on the other one - I think cause it is so long!!

Anyway glad you are all ok - Pandabear - think it is quite common for you not to feel baby if you are active all day - if I have a really busy day I get worried and then I sit and relax and he goes into overdrive - its grosse sometimes like I have an alien inside my belly!!

Have midwife appointment today just routine but am going to ask if she thinks baby will be huge - everyone on hols acted like I was ready to give birth and were stunned when I told them I had 14 weeks left but then again the BA lady asked if I were pregnant when we checked in and all the mumsnetters I saw at last meet up did not tthink I was huge!! I haven't put on anything other than my big bump and inflated boobs though so thats a relief so far!!

Sam if you still have the UTI try to drink as much as you can - cranberry juice or flat lemonade are supposed to work well.

Tonic water is still keeping the reflux under control to an extent and other than clicky hips and being sooooo bloody hot all is ok inthe Twinkie Pregnancy so far.

bunny - try a John Lewis - if there is one near you and the online option for mothercare. We got our moses basket and linen in John Lewis and I found shopping for things from mothercare so much easier shopping online. John Lewis does have some great baby stuff - reasonably priced.

bunny, I agree with eidsvold, try JL for bedding. Much better made than Mothercare stuff as well. They also do some nice changing mats. I'm finding the pelvic pain much worse this time round too. Last time it was only the last couple of weeks and I thought it was to do with the head engaging (but I guess not). I've found it really worth following all the advice about being careful about getting into bed, car etc (keeping legs together as much as poss) and am just not really walking any distance now.

We've just spent a weekend visiting parents and in-laws (who live very near each other). ds slept on his ready bed for the first time (which was a great success, thank goodness). The room he was in was quite small and we were trying to lie down next to him to give him a cuddle in bed and say goodnight, but I decided not to lie down because there was so little room and I thought it would be such a struggle to get up again. So ds said `Daddy's not too fat to lie down'!!!!! The other highlight of the weekend was getting a lecture from MIL about potty training ds (apparently, if I just tell him to do it, he should do as I say!!!). Oh, and she was hinting about names she likes, and she mentioned the one we've pretty much decided on, so now she'll think it was her idea! (although I did tell her we'd already decided on a name). Grrrrr!

Hello everyone.

Our builders have finally finished and the decorator starts on the baby's room later this week, so I'm finally beginning to feel as if we may just have things ready for the baby when he arrives. I still haven't done any shopping for him, but I don't need all than much and I'm hoping to get most of it on-line. Until the room is decorated I don't have anywhere to put anything. 8 weeks to go - eeek!!!

I was feeling pretty rough last week, I think because I've been rushing around too much organising builders, chasing ds, trying to clean up. I was feeling really, really tired and was finding it difficult to breathe properly, like the baby was so high I couldn't expand my lungs properly. My mw and the consultant at the local hospital have checked me over and I seem to be fine (bp, sugars, rbc count, lung function, etc) but my bump is measuring big and I have to have a growth scan on Wednesday this week. I'm not overly worried, mostly because I don't know enough about it and my baby is really active, but I'm concerned that they'll keep wanting to check up on me for the rest of this pg. Honestly, if I have to arrange child care while I have chack ups I would rather spend the time having a rest! (Both consultant and mw told me I have to rest more). I think the baby's dropped lower now, and I'm feeling a lot better, but I'm having to be careful to rest more and accept offers of help - not something that comes naturally to me. I was going to decorate baby's room myself, and have done a lot of the preparation, but I'm just too tired either to do it or to look after ds full time at weekends while dh does it so we've decided to get the decorators in and find the money somehow.

I think this pregnany was easier than my first up to 7 months because now I'm a full time mum and don't have a 'proper job', but the last 2 months are going to be much harder because I won't get any maternity leave!

I hope you're all okay. viv xx

Hi All. I went to the midwife on Monday and all is well. She said I have strong stomach muscles, that must explain why my bump sticks right out!! . Also got hte Anti-D. They had apparently sent me a letter advising me about this, which I didn't get. But thankfully we had been talking about it on here so I just said yes to it. It was a big ole needle though . Also got all the usual stuff done, baby is measuring well and even gave the midwife a good kick on the ear as she was listening for the heartbeat. Still got pelvic pains/stiffness, but midwife couldn't feel much wrong, so it must just be my muscles stretching. It only happens when I ahve been sitting still for a long time, or getting up in the morning, so I am going ot try and move around more to keep my muscles warmed up.

Talking of which, it has turned quite cold now hasn't it? Can't believe how close we are now getting to the new arrival!

Hi everyone. It is starting to dawn on me that things are zooming along here to PP! Especially when I tell peopl when I'm due, and instead of saying 'oh, a little while then' they say 'ooh, not long then!' Gulp!

Bunny2, I just thought I would let you know I had the MOST bizzare dream about you! You were meeting me in London so I could give you something (i have no idea what!) and you insisted on meeting in a tube station that wasn't on the map!! You were very sweet though! I think I spend too much time on here!

Hi all....glad to know you are all organised. My nesting has started in earnest and I am a mad cleaning woman which is exhausting! Got my hosp bag ready as ds was 5 weeks early and I dont want to get caught out! Put all the baby clothes in the drawers and just need to ask my friend for her moses basket.

Got my third and final scan tomorrow so I hope all is well. It doesnt stop kicking and moving which is great except when I want to sleep!!

Is anyone getting the 'you must not have long then' comment and then the raised eyebrow when I say 8 or 7 weeks.... I am by no means huge according to measurements - spot on in fact... I feel huge and uncomfortable at times - only cause I wasn't this big with dd.

Does anyone else have their bags packed? I have the baby's bag packed but not really started on mine.

Second antenatal class tonight - focusing on the birth with a video!! Great to view just after dinner

Making roman blind and curtains for the babe's room along with a nappy stage and a hanging storage pockekty thing to go on the change table.

Still have the painting to do but that won't take too long - we need dd's room to stop smelling and then move her in there. Friend is dropping the furniture over in a couple of weeks - so all I need to buy now is a new stroller, matress for moses basket and cot and a new change mat.

Sadly I have started writing Christmas cards - as I know I won't be getting out much with 2 after no2 is born.... and I need the cards ready to send overseas!!! I have written the message and just left our names off to write in later when I know what name no2 will have.

We have finally decided on names - 1 each for girl and boy.... taken us ages to agree although the girl's name is the other option we had for dd. I am sure as dd's name is unusual people will be expecting another unusual name and we have gone for more traditional names. As dd has an aussie name I said to dh we would try a more British name.

Anyone getting a little nervous. I am - as last time was sooo different and I am nervous about ending up with another caesar and that really would not be good for us ........ feel like a first timer in some ways!!

Hope you are all over the heat - see it has been a bit cooler and some rain... we are starting to get warmer.... yesterday was 27 degrees....

ohh collision meant to say hope all goes well for today...

Oh Gawd, you all sound very organised, I've done nothing yet and dh is abroad on business so nothing will get done this week.

Flossam, very flattered I was in your dream. Hope I was willowy and gorgeous with a neat bump and trendy clothes!!

I keep haivng really vivd dreams about sex (and never with dh ) do you think it is the hormones?

I see my mw this aftrernoon, she was concerned the baby is on the small side so hopefully she can tell me all is ok today.

Good luck Collision with your scan. Vivie, how was yours?

Ooohhhh hello all - bunny - go to M&P - they also have a warehouse in Barking if that is anywhere near you and there stuff is lovely - we have so gone overboard poor Max will have more stuff than he can actually lay on, play with and wear!!

Feel ok other than for indigestion which is till going strong!! - Drink pints and pints of milk to try and quell it but even that is starting to get useless - Gaviscon Advance is ok for a while and Ranitadine apparently makes you clear your digestive track frist so quite like having an enema!! - Tricky the first few times I took one at work!!

Been to one NCT all day class and had the breastfeeding one on Tuesday night - everyone seems really nice - they treated me like an old pro although all I had to say is its not too bad and don;t feel like acomplete failure if you have drugs or can;t breastfeed (pervading message from last time I joined NCT was if you can;t breastfeed you are a failure and try as much as you can not to have drugs during labour as they will harm your child!!)

DD is getting more and more excited but keeps coming up with stupid names - like she is going to haev a say anyway!! - Teachers at her school says the first thing she does when she gets there is shoves a baby up her shirt and walks around all day being mummy!! - Apparently they think I am a big waste of space as DD has had 4 kids whilst I have been pregnant!!

Max's room is nearly done - well the decorating is just got to get DP to finish putting the futniture together and then can start dressing the room with all the lovely things we have bought.

Other than that nothing exciting happening - baby moving lots - especially at night, I have no control over bladder when I sneeze or cough and being sick a few days ago was awful - try controlling you pelvic floor whilst heaving!!

Have bought lots of pressies for DD for Xmas and for rest of the family and even for DP so hopefully won't be havnig to do too much once this one comes!! Court on the 28th October to finalise finacial stuff in divorce so hopefully I won;t be marrid to x2b anymore either when Max makes his appearance!!

Gosh its getting busy on here! NOt long now, eh?

Well, baby still seems to be footling breech and has his back to mine. I have spent a lot of time of all fours but it hurts my back. Have done some exercise today and tried to be really energetic with DD at tumble tots to see if that would work but no such luck.

Am now on maternity leave - had a fab leaving do last friday (didn't get in til 3am!) and had quite a busy weekend so have managed not to progress with babys room. It is painted and has new skirting, new radiator this weekend, but me and DH cannot decide on decoration. We end up argueing! Any thoughts?

I think DD is getting me used to having no sleep ready for when the new baby arrives. She went to bed at 7 last night but was up again at 10 until 2 am this morning! I swear she was taking to someone in her room and shouting no to them and crying, it was really odd and she scared me for a while. She looked like a child posessed!

Vivie - how much bigger are you measuring? I am measuring a week bigger so am hoping baby will some a bit earlier!!

Twinkie - keep doing your pelvic floor exercises. My neighbour, a mw, has been telling me horror stories about people who do not do their PFE when PG. Now I do them all day long!

Bunny2 - are you looking for just the linin for the moses basket or the basket as well? If its just the linen, did you find any?

Has anyone written a birth plan? I wrote one with DD but it kinda went out the window so I don';t know whether to bother this time?

Eidsvold - I am really impressed you are making lots of things for the babys room. I wish I was creative with a sewing machine!!

x

last day at work today!!

got lots of pressies and went out for lunch with the girls in my department.
It has been really nice, and they let me go home early!!

I've got ana ctive birth workshop tonight at the hospital...dh says he needs a refresher as he can't remember what he's supposed to do!!!!

Haven't done much really, but dh is convinced baby will be early so might start on hospital bag next week when dd's at nursery. She's at her best behaviour recently, sleeping and eating well, hardly any tantrums, can't quite belive it, but I am bracing myself for a huge regression by the time baby comes!

a bit p####o## at builders whi should ahve started loft conv 2 weeks ago and we don't have a date yet, and I just know I'll have the baby and the builders at the same time..grrrr.

Have to get baby clothes from loft and give them a wash and get changing table from ikea, after that we're more or less ready, and I'm knitting a blanket for baby, as I did one for dd too.

will not bother with birth plan, I booked myself into the midwifery-led birthing unit, which makes it quite obvious that I would prefer not to have any drugs!! And last time I was asked about it, rather than it being read....baby was lying head down at my last check, hopefully will not move now, though in theory she could still turn around....

Good luck everyone, I won't be aroung as much from home, so hope all goes well with all of you!!

Hi All - I'm so jealous of those of you who have finished work already. I've still got 6 weeks to go!! Oh well, the idea is that at work I'm sat down most of the day, whereas if I were at home, then there would be an active two year old to chase round after.

Getting more prepared though. In the last few months DD is potty trained, and is now comfortably settly in her "big girl's bed". Just got to decorate her new bedroom and we'll be on the way. I also took her out shopping last Saturday to let her "choose" Beanie's nappies.

Have returned to early night's, but am waking up early too - oh well. Hope everyone else is doing OK

wow a friend of mine who was due around the same time as me has had her baby!! 7 weeks early. Both mum and baby are doing fine - he weiged just 5lb6!!!

There are three of us due at the same time .... wonder which one of us will go next!!!

I've lost my ankles! All gone puffy and fat and 'orrible!! Was hoping that would be something else that 'wouldn't happen to me'!! Silly me! Was enjoying them still being about the only thin part of me anymore! Oh well.

Still got a while left at work here too. Another 5 weeks to go I think. Horrible thought! Only 5 more night shifts to do as of this morning which is a slightly nicer thought!

About to start flat hunting in ernest. We have seen an advert for a flat (ground floor) two bedrooms for less money than we pay at the moment that is available when we want it. Will phone up but not rushing as won't be beth off to view it till weds. Might be gone already! But I hope it's still there and decent, would be such a relief! Then as long as we find a new tenant for here hopefully all should be nicely sorted before baby! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Beth = both.

Oh, am getting sooooo excited now. Nice to hear how you are all doing (it IS getting busy on here)

I've not written a birth plan, am going to wait to see how I get on at my NCT class as I basically know nothing about the options right at this minute. Have started thinking about my hospital bag, and I need to get things washed and ironed etc ready for the baby. I am trying to restrain myself to do that once I am on maternity leave (got another 8 weeks to work though!).

mum2ela, my bump is measuring about 4cm bigger than my dates, but having had a scan it's clear that the baby is large but I'm so big because I have lots of extra fluid. I've had to have a glucose test this morning (yum!) but hopefully there's nothing serious wrong. It does explain why I've been feeling so knackered and breathless.
The consultant says it's unlikely I'll be able to have my home birth now though .

You all sound so organised and I'm really impressed about all this sewing and knitting! I'm all on just keeping on top of the washing up!

Scan was GREAT and we saw its little face which was amazing.......spitting image of ds and so we think it is a boy!! Hurray!! It didnt stop wriggling and the scan lady was laughing as it kept putting its thumbs up at us. Is obv a character!

Bad news is that THERE IS DEF NO PAIN RELIEF AT ALL IN ITALY!! I keep asking dh to ask as I dont speak Italian and we asked the lady and she said that no there wasnt! Its not that I dont want a natural birth but I would like the option if I cant bear the pain anymore! She said that epidurals were dangerous (dont freak everyone as I had one with ds and would have another if I could!) and that they prefer to do things naturally and dont like c-sections which is fine as I would like to avoid that too.

Good news is that the baby is fine health as am I and everything is perfect and it will weigh about 8lb 8oz when it is born so that is great news. It also has a large head!!

Hope you are all well.

any like me going for a VBAC?!?!?

Hi Eidsvold - I'm currently planning on a VBAC, but have to admit to wavering in my plans. I'd love a natural birth as it's best for me and the baby, and means a shorter stay in hospital. But... I'm really scared that the whole birth experience will end with an emergency c section, with general anaesthetic again, and I will not have seen either of my two kids born. Decisions to be made, I guess!

Hi all, hope everyone's well.

Had my anti-D last week, and I have a physiotherapy session next week. Apart from that, nothing much to report.

eidsvold and PandaBear, a friend of mine had a VBAC a few weeks ago. She'd had an emergency c/s under general anaesthetic first time around so was worried about history repeating itself, but everything was OK this time (although had ventouse/forceps in theatre with epidural). She was very pleased with the outcome.

Hi ladies, is anyone else getting vesry strong Braxton Hicks? Mine are actually quite painful now - hope I'm not going to be that premature!

Collision, glad to hear the scan was a goodie!

Whats a VBAC?????

collision - vaginal birth after caesarean...

I know what you mean - I really don't have a choice ( if I have a choice - iykwim) I have a 2 yo with special needs - not walking and so needs carrying places - or just lifting from the car to the buggy and back again. Can't be doing that with a caesarean scar... also she is doing so well with therapy hate to stop that because I can't get her there. Don't have anyone that can come and stay for six weeks either - dh has just started a job and so we may be lucky if he gets paternity leave but that is about it.

However - should it be the case that I have to have a caesar then I will have to deal with it.

A little nervous that I may get to a point after labouring that I have to have one. Last time caesar was at 38+2 and so do not know labour etc... so also think - will I recognise labour - will it be long or short... will I make it to the hospital in time, all sorts of things going through my mind - not stressed or worried just wondering I guess.

bunny had a couple of painful ones yesterday. Otherwise everything is fine!!