Hi all,
Just spent the last hour and a half catching up - I can't believe how quickly this thread moves!Apologies in advance if I miss people out. Will look at bump pics you have all posted soon as well and try to post one of my own. I also hope that you are all enjoying some lovely, lovely maternity leave.
Twitmonster - I hope you are feeling better and maybe even manage to fit a bit of a nap in today. Being a newbie I have no idea if this is the beginning of the birth for you or whether you still have some more waiting around to do. Good luck in either case!
Dal - glad they are keeping an eye on you and making sure all is well.
Chatty - I winced at the story of your inadequately nappied house guest! Your poor thing!! I just hope they are paying you well.
MrsFish - those pics are superb. I definitely think they are future blackmail material!! At mine and dh's wedding my friend made these decorations for the Xmas tree out of embarassing family photo's from when we were both kids and they went down a storm - people were passing them round the tables. So the "bronzing incident" may see the light of day in twenty odd years time!
Motherhysteria - sending lots of good luck vibes to Amyclaramum. Hope she isn't too bored!
Purple - sorry to hear how much you are suffering with all the joint and pelvic pain. It must be thoroughly miserable. Hang on in there (like we have a choice) - not long to go now hopefully.
Mmoo and Edie - I get really sore skin at the top of the bump as well, especially on a growth spurt.
Re monitors - we got the BT one off Amazon as it seemed the best price. The lullaby feature is kind of cute. We've also got a Sensor Mat on order - a colleague of mine recommended it and I guess as first timers we are anxious to take every possible precaution. My colleague said the sensor mats are worth it because they enable you to actually relax and give you some peace of mind - otherwise you'll be prodding the baby every 2 minutes to check its still breathing! I can understand why some people might think its a bit OTT though.
As for stretchmarks - I've been using bio oil religiously and hadn't got any marks. However, I got measured for nursing bras yesterday and noticed what I thought were some tiny little purple marks at the underside of my bump. How annoying is that?? To get to 38 weeks and then have the buggers pop up. Grrrrr.
All sympathies to those of you having sleep troubles - I've had a fair bit myself prompted by the ever present heartburn/puking combo that now seems really normal. I can manage a decent few hours most nights by using copious amounts of lavender spray on pillow and some good earplugs to block out dh's snoring. I'm usually a heavy sleeper but now I wake up if a mouse in the garden moves a pebble so the earplugs are a must!
As for the August/September dabate I have to say I'm not that fussed. Frankly, the odds of this baby greeting its public before September are slim anyway as although I am 38 weeks the head isn't engaged at all - I am still carrying ridiculously high although at least he is pointing the right way. Furthermore I've had no crampy pains in the last week and a half, braxton hicks or anything (at least not that I've felt). All I get is the "knitting needle" pains in my you know where and that only usually happens when walking. One of my NCT friends had some BH's last night when we were all having dinner together and I felt her bump and it was absolutely rock hard - I don't think mine has ever done that. I am getting worried that this baby doesn't know how to be born. So much for " first babies can engage from 36 weeks" - I am desperate for the lo to drop a bit so I can breathe properly and don't have so much heartburn. Anyone got any tips for how to get a lo to drop down?
Love and big hugs to all xxxx