Due Dec 2007 on the wind down?

[suey2]

has this worked?

MM: please don't feel bad. This is, as everyone has said, a supposedly safe place for us to discuss things we might not be happy talking about face to face.

I really really hope that continues.

And on that note...

Bl%%dy medics.

I have one vein in my right arm that is good for blood tests. One. Right arm. Yup.

So I explain this, as I always do, having been through many failed attempts on my left arm (I'm right handed) and the phlebotomist makes soothing noises.

She took blood out of the 'good' vein for the first half of the test. Two hours later I go back for the second test, and she decides to "have a go" at the left arm.

Surprise surprise - it doesn't work, and she has to go back into the vein she used initially.

Bugger! Now instead of one bruised, sore arm, I will have two. Grump. Mutter. Seethe.

Eating porrige to try and avoid the glucose crash after the test.

thelady - I have no good veins. In the whole of my last pregnancy only once did they get any blood out of my arm and that was because the MW refused to be beaten, needless to say it wasnt very pretty afterwards. For the rest of the time the blood came from my hands which is rubbish as they collapse quickly so they have to do it a few times. I have even had them looking at my feet and legs for veins

This time tho for the first time in my life they have managed with my arms, but takes some time and i actually go to the proper blood department at the hosp, the last test I had I didnt even get a bruise at all...

thanx thelady, got my 28 week MW appt this afternoon and I'm panicing like crazy, Not felt this nervous before, added to the butchering experience of student MW taking bloods at booking in, not really looking forward to it....

Wow 28 weeks already. I am totally at the other end, my appointment for around that time is 10 Oct.

Oh yes I have rubbish veins too - after having dd (blood transfusion, drip, God knows what else) I looked liked a pretty serious heroin user, nice look on a new mum...

MM glad you feel better and lets say no more about the thread hijack, ignoring it is the best way

thelady - your lists are beginning to scare me!! My list before we had dd was:

moses basket
a few vests and sleepsuits
nappies
my boobs

However it did quickly increase to include all sorts of horrors like breast pump, nipple shield, kamilosan.... but at least going out to buy them gave DH (now promoted from DP!) an excuse to escape from the madness for an hour or two

Hmm. The lists make me feel better because I know I'm less likely to have forgotten something crucial. I don't anticipate buying even the half of what's on them, but at least can think about pros/cons while I'm not sleep-deprived.

I react v. badly to surprises of any kind (good or bad) so tend to overplan. Drives DH daft, but my Dad and Sis are the same.

Mixedmama, thanks, I don't want to sound greedy but I honestly can't afford for my mat leave to start any earlier than 36 wks. Will ask the Doc at my next apt in 2 wks time where I stand though.

Thelady, these lists are good! It's nice to read them and decide what we need as there's some things on there I wouldn't have thought of. Some hospitals have different policies as well so what might be provided in one can vary to the other so also gives ideas of what to ask if it's provided.

Loucee I believe they can only make you take maternity leave from week 36, so you've got a way to go yet! I'm sure the doctor will help you out so you don't have to take it any earlier than you want, especially if you need the money. Ditto on that by the way, I've told work I'll go on leave from 3rd Dec and am due on 6th! But it's only 5 minutes from my house so makes no difference really, I might as well come in and keep my mind off things!

theLady you are truly fabulous!

our company policy is that if you take sick leave after 36 weeks you are automatically classified as being on maternity leave (i.e you not allowed to be on sick leave after 36 weeks).

That's the same as here MotherofZ. But surely that's only if it's pregnancy related?

oh don't get me wrong thelady, i think the lists are great - they just make me feel a bit inadequate!!

double checked the small print and yes, only if it is pregnancy related.

Hi everyone

Blimey, that lady was a bit aggressive. Eat some chocolate Mixedmama and don't think about it.

Well, thanks v much for all those lists, i have c & p'd them, but feeling a bit alarmed. Gosh there is SO much i have to buy. I'm trying to clear all my bills over the next few months, got some hefty ones relating to my building which are unavoidable and for such large amounts not even sure where the money is gonna come from. GULP. In fact, think my Sure Start Grant is going to be handed straight over .

Oh well, needs must and all that jazz.

I've gone from thinking the baby's not due for ages to now thinking SHIT there's so much to do. I could actually finish work at start of Dec using up rest of my holiday entitlement and then starting maternity leave only 7-10 days early. Would have quite liked to have had those 2 weeks holiday as pay instead of time off, but with all the moaning i've done about my boss, it would be nice to finish. Would mean nearly 10 months off. Wahey!

I feel scared of all the things i need to buy...so i'm going to face my fears and start a hospital bag this weekend, and do a big list, with check boxes like Mixedmama.

Someone gave me a Moses basket last week and it keep staring at. I love it already. Can't wait to put little person in it.

I think these last few months are going to fly by. It'll be middle of September this weekend. Blimey! WHERE did that go?

x

I keep getting a weird feeling and am wondering if it's braxton hicks - it feels like my uterus (I suppose?!) is tightening up but it doesn't hurt at all. It also makes me need a wee and if I'm walking I have to slow down. Do you reckon that's what it is? It's not making me worry, it's just a really odd feeling, wondered if anyone else has had it.

I don't have to do any nursery stuff yet, my baby is going to be sharing a room with me, at my mums. which'll have all my plants, surfboard, books, stereo! won't have it's own room for about 9 months.

So that's one list i dont' have to worry about! Eeeeeek.

I feel a bit funny being on my own and being a single mum this week. Prob just hormones though, and wanting to share bills and life stresses with someone. Not bothered about sex and need all the room i can get in bed at night.

I know it is crazy - I said to DH last night that we have 15 weeks left and he was like "yeah right".

I am so anal with lists it is just verging on silly sometimes.

Mimicakey i've had some odd feeling right low down, identical to period pain. I wondered if it's the start of my lady bits practicing for the big day!

No lists are good!
My flatmate was saying to me you can finish your year in 12 weeks and then just chill out waiting for baby to turn up. I said that sounds a bit too soon!

Sounds like BHs Mimicakey, I have been getting them and my tum goes all tight and squarish and it does slow me down for a min although doesn't hurt. Feels a bit like baby is pushing hard against the outside of my tum!

Yes, that's it! It could be LO doing some kind of weird slow acrobatics but BH seems more likely.

How annoying! Kiddicare have the pushchair I want for £60 cheaper than I've seen anywhere but I can't find a shop that I can go to to look at it! I can't just buy it off t'internet and hope it's ok.

You could always send it back, altho that is extra hassle isnt it.

Well now we've got to the bottom of why that woman chose to hijack our thread! Mixedmama - don't let her make you feel bad, you have absolutely no reason to!! Everyone's cicumstances are their own business.
Thelady - I'm just in awe of your lists
I'm taking careful notes!

I'm working up to week 37 - but have now put my 8 days holidays in for November so I'll only be working 3 days a week for the last 4 weeks of work! I can't wait
So the other two days I can spend on mumsnet!!!

MrsSkiddadle - you're enjoying married life then

Neuro: why do you think I'm making lists? It helps ward off the panic for me a little better than constant tea-and-a-biscuit which is the only alternative .

I have 8 half days off before we plan to go on holiday in early November. That's 8 Tuesday afternoons to go and see everything I need to try in person! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh.

I think if we lived in a city with 24h shops I'd be a bit more relaxed about forgetting something, but it's 20 - 30 mins drive to the nearest Asda and Tescos depending on how many tractors you get stuck behind, and they're not 24-hours. Add to that the fact that DH is chef here, and we can't see how he can take time off, and if I've forgotten something it'll be a while before I can get hold of it.

No nursery decoration for me either: LO will be sharing our room 'cos that's all we've got. As you say: one less thing to tick off the list.

This is where we're going - as long as I can cope with the car journey at 36+ weeks.

Wonderful place, which we booked the week before I got that BFP and have been looking forward to all summer.

By March, everything is pretty much booked up for the next 10 months, but I can't recommend it highly enough.

thelady - I'm about your holiday - place looks fab