Due Sept '07 - Loving this weather - yes WE WILL make it through the summer thanks!!!

[PurpleLostPrincess]

I did it (slightly adjusted the wording - is it OK?)!!! Now all we've got to do is a link from the old one to the new one - I'll leave that to somebody a bit more competent!

By the way, I just go laalalaalalaaa when you guys talk about epidurals/pain relief etc. I really didn't enjoy having one when I had DS but I had to as they had put me on a drip and all sorts and I had lots of complications. Ended up with even more severe migraines for years afterwards too. Didn't have one with DD1 and much preferred the whole experience. If I can get away with it this time, I'm going to try and avoid having one (obviously can't predict how things will go!). Gas & Air me up all the way!!!

PLP xxx

Hi all

Went for my growth scan today (34+6) and baby hasn't grown AT ALL in the last two weeks . They want me in for another fluid scan on Friday, and have said that they will probably have me in every couple of days. They would like me to get to 36 weeks, but said that I might need to be induced before.

I just want my baby to be where I can see him/her.

Oh my goodness gracious me!!!!! I'm measuring 49, yes that's 49 inches!!!!!! Well, not surprising really, I was big to start with (size 20/22) so I suppose I've got a bit of flab to take into account

Will catch up later but just popped in to say hi - have been in bed all day feeling exhausted and my hands just won't stop swelling. Not sure at what point I should ring the day assessment unit to be checked out (mw only works Thurs/Fri) if at all... My hands hurt so much and I've got to go out and get some supplies in before we starve which will be fun on crutches!!

Catchya later ladies!!! xxx

MrsM - i dont think you are measuring big at all. there are some on the oct thread around a similar measurement. And I think that if baby is traverse, that will make a huge difference!

PLP - if your hands are swelling - shouldnt you check in with the day unit?

Lou - . do they know why? what have they said?

Hiya dal, I've had oedema for a few weeks now and was checked over a few weeks ago and all was fine so I don't want to get all worried if its just that again. At the same time, I'm soooo tired today and like I said, my hands are really bad - worse than they've ever been! (I had pre-eclampsia with DD1 at the end so a bit wary!).

Have tried to ring the day assessment unit but no answer - will keep trying...

I'm really pleased with myself because i painted my toenails red yesterday! Ok so probably don't inspect in close proximity but i was rather impressed!

I'm 34 + 3 and my bump is 43 inches!

Hi Dal

No, they don't know. Placenta seems to be flowing fine, and although fluid is on the very low-end of normal, it hasn't decreased further. Just wait and see...

Think I will buy some early baby sleepsuits today, though!

PLP - are you at work or at home resting? any other symptoms or just the hands?

This pregnancy lark isnt easy is it?

If the placenta seems fine then that is odd. Chin up, positive thinking, am sure your bub will be fine and it sounds as though they are doing a very good job of keeping an eye on you!

Lou, so sorry to hear you have this extra worry. but sounds like they're across it and taking things seriously.

PLP your hands sound bad - worth a call to the day unit?! esp if you're in pain!

As for bunp i'm now feeling quite petite! so how come people keep asking if it's twins?! ho hum.

ok, i am off to do battle with ikea online ordering. it's not working. surprise! wish me luck.

lol i'm 34+5 and measure 38.

Managed to get through to the day assessment unit and had a chat with the midwife (I think!?) there. She asked lots of questions including what had I been up to today...? When I told her I had been in bed resting all day, she said that makes sense then and its no surprise I'm all swelled up!! Apparently, although I should keep my feet and hands elevated, its a good idea to keep moving them as all the fluids tend to collect if there's no movement. Makes sense I guess! She was very reassuring and said if I'm still suffering and worried tomorrow morning to give them a call back. I'm seeing my mw on Friday so I'll hopefully hang on till then...

In the meantime, managed to walk around Lidl's on crutches successfully and I have to say it did help! Takes some getting used to (and does start hurting the hands!) but worth it!

Also have lots of BH's today and feel generally like a big blob. DH reckons we did so much yesterday and Monday that my body is telling me to slow down... You're right, this pg lark isn't easy!!

lou - thinking of you lots and hope things go well xx

Congrats to all those who have successfully painted their toenails - I'll be tackling mine in the next few days. I tend to go for purple (of course!) and will be picking a lighter shade so I don't have to be too precise

Like the names seamonstEr!

ECATLM - hope you got on well with Ikea!?

As I said, we made it around Lidls earlier and I've picked up half a tonne of food - haven't had an appetite for a while but I seem to be making up for it now!! Most of it is lollies and ice-cream which seems to be my 'fancy' at the moment (wouldn't go so far as to say craving just yet!). It's strange going shopping without the children - wasn't much point in buying them anything as they're not home until Monday night... missing them more today!

(((hugs)))

Plp - glad your MW was reassuring ! Poor you in LIDL on crutches - did you get any help from the staff ?

I am amazed at those who can still reach their toenails ! I have found a very nice lady who comes to the house to do pedicures and is also a reflexologist so have treated myself - now have very pretty sparkly blue toe nails ! She also did my DD's with extra
"jewels" stuck on - they are really pleased with their Barbie toes !

love to all x

Thanks amyclaramum but DH came with me - he's been my knight in shining armour today bless him! (apart from calling me hop-along every now and then!)

Good morning everyone,

I keep popping into the august thread and it all seems very exciting and 'real' although i'm still finding it a bit weird that people are posting while in labour! is that just me?

well, I finall got started on my hospital bag while ds was in the bath last night. iirc space was really restricted on the post natal ward last time so i'm intending to take very little and leave the rest in the car until it's needed. i was very disciplined and managed to get everything except my dressing gown into a small flight bag. all the extra changes of clothes/pads/nappies etc will just have to stay in the car. How many of each would you buy? dp will fetch extra nappies from the shops if necessary, but forget asking him to buy towels or breast pads. I've got 80 breast pads so far, about 10 pairs of tena pants (i figure they're less likely to leak than pads in the first days and can just be ripped off and thrown in the bin) and one pack of pads. I think i went to standard sanitary towels quite soon last time as the bleeding was light enough after the first week, but a friend texted me last night and warned me that i'll bleed more as it's my 2nd. anyone know how true that is? sorry if tmi x

I realised last night that by sitting on the sofa with my legs tucked underneath me I can reach my toenails one side at a time! Saving that plan for when I can actually be arsed.

Its been ages since I was on here again. Slacking off again! I'm 35 weeks now and now on maternity leave. Phew. Ended up going a day and a half earlier than planned as the long days were killing me. Am expecting a sudden rush of energy at any time soon but its not seeming too forthcoming. I feel shattered!

I'm on iron tablets but not because my iron is awfully low but because I'm hoping for a home birth. I also have a poorly chest. Might start some antibiotics today. I think we are mostly sorted now. Just need a new moses basket mattress. Waiting for my mum to send funds for the pram! I still have no colour specific clothes, but have some vouchers from work to go and spend when baby is here safely.

I'm really worrying that all isn't well with baby - I'm completely paranoid! Baby didn't move quite as much as normal yesterday and its worrying me rather. Will see how things go today. We still have no loan sorted or heating fixed! That will probably have to happen now after baby arrives.

I've kind of skim read the thread, so I'm sorry for those I've missed

Sophus, sorry to hear about your mum. I'm glad you are enjoying the time you are able to spend with her at the moment.

HIWBB, glad your DH is home again, I hope there is something more that can be done for him???

Lou, sorry to hear about the baby's growth. I hope things are ok with you.

We really don't have all that long to go now!

you can paint your nails? girls i can't even see my toenails. am having a mani/pedi tomorrow - by george i deserve a treat.

Have been trying to sort out my bikini "area" (or is that acre?) with my new ladyshave (fab recommendation). Just can't do it though, doesn't help that only hand mirror we have is DP's magnifying shaving mirror - it's just not a pleasant sight magnified i can tell you. Am going to have to draft DP's help which should prepare us for the breaking down of dignity and boundaries come childbirth.

My darling little brother accidentally rang me trashed at 2.30 am. Never got properly back to sleep again, i shall definitely find some evil way to punish him.

Off to the office today to collect presents as i left so abruptly, then think i am ready.

MW has told me to have bag packed and in the car all the time now as i am doing so much driving to london and spending a lot of time in another hospital.

Bert the Kitten has taken to stealing my bedside water and anything else fun lying there, think i will buy a sippy mug when i go baby shopping today - aha - that should foil the pesky feline.

xxx

hi when is every one due. i'm due 15 th september but havin c section not had date for that yet, i'm so glad it has not been too hot this summer it would have killed me

Hi Hayley

I am due 10th but section booked 31/08. how come they haven't given u a date yet?

Hi everyone,

Back from a few days with DH's parents - always fun. Got loads to catch up on here!

Sophus I'm so sorry to hear that the prognosis for your Mum is poor but also glad to hear that she is comfortable. I hope that you treasure the time that you have. On a more cheery note your story of Bert the worlds feistiest kitten made my chuckle! I hope you enjoy the rest of your maternity leave.

Dal - the email idea is excellent and I'll be forwarding my details shortly. I had been thinking what a shame it would be to lose touch.

Hopey - good to hear your man is home! You must have missed him terribly. I hope he's feeling ok.

PLP - You poor love, being on crutches must suck in the extreme. I can't say anything to make it better but am hoping you are bearing up. I am with you 100% in ice lolly/ice cream cravings! I've been out for a couple of meals lately and all I could think about was dessert!

Lou - sorry to hear your news. I'm just glad they picked up on it and are monitoring you so closely. Keep us informed lady!

My contribution to the pedi debate - I can actually manage to yank my foot up onto the opposite knee and paint toes from that position. I'm with MrsMar in that I am sticking to frosted pale colours as they are a hell of a lot more forgiving that your dark tones! For those of you that have proper pampering mani/pedi's booked enjoy them!! A bit of luxury is what we could all do with I reckon. I'm having my eyebrows waxed this afternoon but that doesn't really count as luxury - I'm just too hamfisted to do it myself and I have a real thing about my eyebrows!

Well, visit to the in laws was fun as ever. They are very well meaning and basically ok but I just struggle at times with the ever so slightly judgemental attitudes and comments from MIL that seem specifically designed to ratchet up the pressure on me - examples being:

"I found breast feeding so easy - I had enough milk for 2 babies" etc. She's actually said this twice now. When I had my head down the loo for most of the first trimester she also seemed to enjoy letting me know she "never had a days morning sickness" either.

She also insisted that mothers don't have to go back to work if they make sacrifices - basically implying that the only reason mums work outside the home is to afford nice shoes and handbags not because they have a mortgage to pay that is massively higher in real terms than in the 70's when they had their kids or (heaven forbid) that they might actually want to. DH gently insisted that times have changed and in any case who was to judge what anyone else does but sometimes it falls on deaf ears. Grrrr. Anyway - a relatively minor whinge that one.

Right, this is turning into a very long post. Hope you all have a good day - I should be keeping up much better now!!

(((Big hugs)))) to all xxxx

hi lou. i only got permision to have on eyesterday he said it was too early to book me in. i did ask though. gutted now knowing you v got your date i should have tried harder. i have to go back for yet another growth scan in three weeks and he said he will give me the date then. ill be 37 1/2 by then

hi everyone - have not had a chance to read any of the posts - but have to say that i seemed to have gained more weight around my hips almost overnight! How? Is this what happens in the final trimester?? am eating really healthily too!! (am 33 weeks tmrw)

Makes me wander why i am bothering with the healthy food if the weight is piling on regardless. Am very bemused (and slightly grumpy!)

Will now read other posts- rant over! (but answers on the back of a postcard welcomed)

urgh loopyloulisa i do hope your friend is wrong about more bleeding with baby#2 as i really hated the whole disposable pant/maternity pad thing while in hosp. schleping to the loo to change all the time was horrible. if i'm in this time i'm getting a single room for sure. to answer your question i got two packs of disposable 'briefs' (hate that word for some reason) and two packs of monster pads and then two packs of slimmer pads. neither are actually mat pads but superdrug cheapo ones which were slightly smaller than the dreaded mat and said they could be used after childbirth. two packs for something silly like £2 or £1.20 i forget - it took me days to bring myself to buy them. i was so in denial i kept looking at them and then not buying them. i had to have stern words with myself!
slightly ridiculous after the ordeal of childbirth to say the worst thing is the maternity pads but there's something about adding insult to injury about having to wear such ugly thick things... or maybe i'm transfering!

Loopy/ PP - thanks both for your mails. Will give it another week or so for any others to drop into the email group then will send out!
Right wont be on here methinks til Sun pm. So have great weekends everyone! Look after yourselves and your bumps!

I think it maybe comes out quicker iyswim, remember you may get after pains as well, most first timers won't although I did lol but second plus timers probably will.

Have been buying a few bits and pieces ready for after lo is born, not packing a bag, but have a drawer prepared in case I end up going to hospital. Am knackered but not sore today so yay. Dal, maybe lo has dropped, mine has and my ridiculous bumb now looks ridiculous and slightly droopy