Due in Dec 07 - Feel them kick!!

[buzzybee]

Hi, thought I'd start a new thread. Hope ou find this OK!

Just been shopping downtown and bought a fab paid of maternity pants for work.

Also bought "The Baby Name Wizard" as Borders were having 20% off everything. Feel free anyone to ask me a question about names now!! The book categorises them into the following "style families" (chances are if you like one name in the family, you'll like a number of others - e.g. I tend to go for "Antique Charm" names for girls which include Abigail, Adeline, AMelia, Anna. Annabel, Annalise, Ava, Bella, Clara, Daisy, Eleanor, Emma, Eva, Georgia, Grace, Hannah and Isabel):
African, Androgynous, Antique Charm, Bell tones, Biblical, Brisk and Breezy, Celtic, Charms and Graces, Country and Western, English, The -ens, Exotic Traditionals, Fanciful, French, German, Greek, Guys and Dolls, Italian, Jewish, Lacy and Lissome, Ladies and Gentlemen, Last Names First, Latino, Little Darlings, Long Gone, Mid-Century, Modern Meanings, Muslim, Mythological, Namesakes, New Classics, Nickname-Proof, Place-Names, Porch-Sitters, Saints, Scandanavian, '70s and '80s, Shakespearean, Slavic, Solid Citizens, Surfer Sixties, Timeless and Why Not?

Im due 1st Dec and feel very very tired.I have been diagnosed as being anaemic but am on iron tabs now.

Also wondering when those working amongst you all plan to go on mat leave?

I work 3 days a week - one long 10 hrs plus hard day, one about 8-9 hr hardish day and one short day with admin in afternoon so can finish early if knackered - mostly sat down but quite stressful.....
am finishing my 37th week guess I will be shattered but want as much time as possible after and cnsidering went 2 weeks over with first might only have 5 months after...so last day 10 Dec for me (due Boxing day) 13 weeks and counting!!

Mat leave: self-employed so not really relevant, but I hope to be off active duty (pub, dinner etc) and reduced breakfast duty with just admin from 36 weeks.

Off to see the one good midwife at our practice today.

Getting support tights on prescription and as my feet don't ever fully recover even after a night in bed. Going to be fun keeping my trous from walking up my legs!

LO fine, but apparently I'm big for dates (30cm at 27 weeks). Not particularly bothered, as most of what I've read suggests that measuring the bump is an incredibly error-prone method for guestimating the size of the baby.

Glucose tolerance test next week (yuck) and blood count etc. I've gone back onto the prenatal vitamins as I've started waking up with leg cramps. A week on the vits and the cramps seem to have gone away. Touch wood it lasts.

OK - no way do I have time to read the last few week's postings but have skim-read them and am adding my two-penn'orth to the topics I saw!

Names - absolutely no idea - think we used up our favourites! DD2 has suggested Willy Wonka for a boy (then giggles about the fact she has been able to say "willy" - she is 4!) Her only other suggestion is Baby Buddington which is the peculiar name she has dreamt up for her Baby Born doll. DH keeps coming up with slightly off-beat names that I really don't like. Back to the name Wizard book...

Home Births - I really love the idea of everything being wonderful and just being left at home, but would be st-scared of anything going wrong, I have had a previous section (although 14 years ago) and have no idea if GBS positive or not as they cocked up the tests last time and shoved me on a drip anyway! it took a while to conceive this one and I will definitely not be going for pregnancy again as I st myself a cut-off of 40 which I'll be next year. I really wish our area did the domino scheme that my 14-year-old pregnancy book had - where the MW comes to your house to assess you, accompanies you to hospital for the birth, then you get to go home quickly after.

The registrar at my last app't said I could ask for a 6-hour-discharge if no complications, so I am thinking of writing that in capitals on the top of my maternity notes and highlighting it!

Had great hols in Eurodisney/Brittany except on last day at Disney ate something dodgy so had diarrhoea & vomiting all evening & night - had to starve myself as we had a 4 hour journey next day. Took about 3 days to feel anywhere near normal again as then had terrible wind (as in the painful internal rather than the farting kind). Feeling sympathy with you peanutbutter

Anyway, long post to get back into MN - keep smiling!

Welcome back Housemum, glad you had a nice holiday but how awful about getting a bad stomach on the last day.

Incy - I also have the Quinny Buzz but after my friend's experience of the Jane Powertwin I'm looking for a side by side, have seen one that looks like a double bugaboo (but isn't as expensive, just to give you an idea of looks) I 've decided I'd like the new baby to be in a carrycot at first so this type of pram allows that whilst DD can be in the pushchair next door.

MotherofZ - I also had Strep B so I feel safer in hospital getting the antibiotics during labour and having a full med team on hand should need assistance. After DD's birth I don't particularly like hospitals but like how they can intervene immediately. I'm 35 mins away from the hospital though so I think I'd feel differently if it were a stones throw away.

Suey2 - night nurse sounds luxurious - how long will you employ them for? The size of my house, budget etc and the fact I'm not good with strangers would rule me out for getting one. I'm sure you'll be glad of the help and will help you settle into a good routine.

I picked up my prescription from the Doctor today (Gaviscon) and oh my word, I've never seen such a huge bottle! When I was in Tescos later I noticed it retails for nearly £8.... this heartburn is an expensive hobby

Heartburn remedy of choice: Extra strong mints! They really do seem to help, and Rennies were doing me no good at all.

The good news: It's quarter past 12 and I'm on my way to bed.
The bad news: That's because the golfers have decided to drink somewhere else tonight, so our bar takings are down by well over £100.

Ah well, as always, the extra sleep is well worth it. Yesterday I finally got to be at 2.30am, and today has been veeeeery long indeed.

Chocolatepeanut - I'm due on 2nd dec, and have just organised with my work to go on mat leave on 16th November, flexible if work gets too much for me. There's a temp starting in mid October to cover me - not that I usually do any work, am normally on mumsnet all day!

Chocolatepeanut, thinking about taking 1 day's annual leave per week from Nov but hoping to keep working up as close to 21 December as I can.

Regarding homebirth mess, I never saw any last time! MW took care of it...oh I think there were a couple of little spots on the bed valance.

I'll be asking about prophalactic antibiotics anyway regarding the dilated kidneys. I understand they don't have to be intravenous (but may be diff for Strep B).

The golfers must have sensed you needed the sleep thelady! Its only 9pm here and I'm off to bed now.

suey2- re huge bras: having reached the stately size of 36H have found the lovely doreen the only affordable/gettable solution although is so vomitously hideous that i have also got a couple of heavy-duty nursing bras on rotation too- have you checked out the bravado range? they do a stately bosom version of their nursing bra which feels a bit like it's made of kevlar but does manage to produce an acceptably perky-ish silhouette.

Sorry having been posting alot lately Been so busy an time is flying. Cant believe some of us are already entering 3rd trimester. I got a few weeks to go yet before that. Getting tired very quickly tho.

Re the homebirth I have been told it is not recommended. Having consultant led care. Got extra scans at 30 & 34 as may be having abouther big boy and also to check position. Hopefully I will have VBAC but chance of another section.

chocolatepeanut i am due dec 6 and am stopping work oct 25th. Quite early, but i have a very physical job. I am also the boss, so I can decide to change my mind at relatively short notice

dundeemarmaldae i have gone back into fantasie underwired. What a relief! I am now 34GG but they go up to a J cup. Just couldn't hack the doreen- v uncomfortable with all the bending over i have to do- even had a small blister after using it for one day!

ChocPnut- I'm due 4th Dec, taking 13 days hols from 5th Nov to 21st Nov, mat leave to start 22nd. Not had any time off since March - desperate for a break, cannot friggin wait, 8 weeks to go and counting...

Glad to hear someone mention the Graco travelsystem as I'm sooo not bothered about the overpriced "trendy" buggies around, (and neither will baby) although admittedly the bonus is that I drive (a lot) and prob won't use it all that much apart from shopping, good to know that they are used and not rubbish cos they are cheapest, also I don't live in a high up appt as some of you guys appear to be, so understand the weight issue.

I guess I've become so stingy since becoming pg because we've done nothing else this year but put all our cash to paying off everything we owe - bar mortgage, saving up for a decent car in cash and baby stuff so we can live comfortably on SMP. I am a finance manager, so working to budgets and penny pinching is almost second nature!! As baby no1, have no idea how the Tax Credits work, did the do I qualify? on the govt website, but it said you will get £370 - did not say per year or per month, must be per year though, since we both work full time, we are likely to get Sweet FA, no rewards for working in this bloody country, oh god, I'm building up to a big rant... must resist...

Morning morning.

Peanut - my last day is Fri 2nd Nov (due 30th) so in effect I'm taking 4 weeks before. Not too bad really though as I get to work from home a few days a week and very much manage my own time - lots of respect for you guys out there as teachers, hotel managers etc etc (sorry for missing anyone out) who are flat out all day.

Managed to miss my MW appt yesterday - forgot compeltely and one of the team (only eve met one once so far!!) rang to inform me - felt like a naughty school kid

Weather forecast is jolly for the weekend so fingers crossed for jolly relaxing chill - fat chance really but you can always hope

Ambi - can relate to you - working as a Data Anaylst makes you so concious about your spending habits and I am also saving to suppliment for the nine months that we get SMP, so trying to be sensible about the baby buying. So far all I have bought are some new sleep suits and baby grows. Hoping to recyle all off DD stuff (unless if I have a boy!). She was given so much desginer baby stuff when she was born (first grandchild on my side) - but it was a shame as she could only wear each one a couple of times and then she grew out of them very quickly!

I done the do I qualify? test on the government website and resulted in a similar amount. From what I gathered it was £370 from your expected due date until April 2008 (I hope so - otherwise £370 a year works out to £7.11 a week!! )

ambi- don't start me on maternity benefits! The the fact that everyone who works for me is entitled but I am not! On the basic SMP.
I am lucky to have a high earning DH who has told me not to worry about money- his career is going v well- but I am used to being independent and just wouldn't be able to manage this alone. Hats off to any of the singlees!

I've also been advised that we have to apply ourselves for these things, need to apply for a pack for Tax Credits but printed off the Child Benefit form from HMRC website, trying to be organised..

Well, I guess that's something MotherofZ, so it could have been worse, the way I calculated it.

I am looking forward to baby buying though, got a huge list ready, my mum's been an angel though (her first grandchild) Typical conversation "I'm in tesco's, they're doing half price breast pumps, do you want one?" - she does love a bargain, but then won't accept any money, so not really a bargain for her, but not complaining at all.

I'm actually a little list-mad at the mo, feels like all I can do whilst counting down is create lists;
*stuff to do on Mat Leave
*to pack in hospital bag
*stuff to buy
*xmas pressies
*nursery ideas

• I'm crazy right?

I've started adding nappies and wipes to my monthly shop too, accumulating quite a stash. I need somewhere to put em all, finding it really difficult to talk DH into moving the study (with his beloved computer)to make room. He will soon cave in when Hormonal Prego Wife replaces begging wife

Ambi - if your DH doesn't change his mind before bump arrives he soon will - when trying to find the new pack of nappies and wipes at 2am with poo running down his legs

Agree with the Mat Pay thing though - Although I'm lucky that I work for a massive world wide company with fab Mat Pay (6 mths full pay!) it seems so unfair that you guys who work flat out and are clever and efficient enough to run your own businesses don't get the same benefits your staff do! Suppose much like the rest of the benefits system though - we're better off if we do nothing and claim every benefit under the sun! Just worked out that as both me and DH work full time we don't qualify for Working Tax Credits. But if one of us wasn't working we'd get them, plus more childcare etc etc etc......... Ahhh. Rant of the day over - looking forward to early dart as it's Friday and the railway industry finishes at 3pm
and please - no comments about the strike - nowt to do with me and my lot I promise

@ Beanstemummy and maternity package.
Seriously good for you though!

Well got that 'Friday Feeling' looking forward to a break this weekend. Going to visit my mum and she's already called to say she is busy cooking loads of dishes for me to take home and freeze! Certainly helps when I am working!!

Anyone got any nice weekend plans?

Boy did I need that sleep!

Took DH out for a quick lunch today to celebrate his (44th) birthday. Just lovely to be away from the hotel and talking about random things.

I've got the forms for working tax credits and Maternity Allowance (self-employed equivalent of SMP) and need to find time to fill them in. DH gets nothing at all - no equivalent of Paternity Pay for the self-employed .

I spent a wee while sorting through the bags of stuff a friend has passed on - won't be needing any cot blankets anyway! I'm scared to start shopping, not for any superstitious reason, but because I'm terrified of boredom in the last few weeks and I need to work out a budget.

More urgently, I need some new tops! Price is an issue, but washability and up to size 16/18 is more important. Any ideas? It'll have to be mail order/internet.

Thelady - wierd, it's my DH's birthday today as well (he's 42). Spooky.
I made him a chocolate cake but as usual it was crap - I am not much of a baker. Well it tasted nice but was quite flat and a bit dry. Still, I made the effort. We are having a curry tonight.

Tops - not sure, I assume all the usual suspects like Next, Blooming Marvellous, JoJo Maman Bebe, Mothercare etc would be able to help? They are all online. Lucky for me I have a lot of mat clothes on loan....

For anyone like me who needs new bras because their rib cage is expanding but not necessarily their cup size, the NCT sell bra expanders. They just clip on the hooks at the back and give you a little bit of extra breathing space. Apparently. I have ordered but they have not arrived yet. So don't know if they are any good. But they are only £2.50 each so a lot cheaper than buying yet more bras....

yes, i got a couple from rigby and peller yesterday- i am hoping not to go up yet another cup size before the end! 3 increases in size would be a bit much

Get you lot buying bras from Rigby and Peller

Midwife came today.
Everything ok except baby is breech
Bloomin typical!

I'm sure he'll move though :s

I had arranged to go on annual leave 1st nov for 3 weeks and then start mat leave week before I am due (1 dec)

but i have busy job and very short staffed.found out yesterday that the interviews for new staff are not taking place as there is a hold on recruiting so situation at work not going to improve and yesterday I rushed about so much that i had some pains and my spd has gotten worse.

at hosp on monday as being closely watched due to history (i had a stillborn two years ago) so will see what cons thinks.

just feel bad about going off too soon

hello all

I'm planning a home birth this time, been to a home support group meeting and all we need is some tarpaulin and old sheets and towels (started asking family and friends for some so we can just throw them away) mw takes the placenta and stuff with her (apparently it legally belongs to you so they have to ask your permission!?!) we had a 6 hour discharge with ds - would recommend it if everything is ok, having breakfast in bed the next morning was bliss

dh not to keen to talk baby stuff just yet - he thinks its too early (25 +3) I just want to get sorted! itching to get shopping