First timers due in Octoberish

[Kittiwake]

Hi this thread is for any first timers or anyone really who wants to chat about their imminent arrival and general lack of idea of what to expect!

I realise that there is already an October thread but there seems to be quite a few people who have come a bit late to join in the discussion on there. Hope this doesn't offend anyone

Morning everyone.

Wow MrsJoJo sounds like there are quite a few different things to think about when you are going to be giving birth in another country just different anxieties I guess. I think my DH is prety scared about the birth too but he is trying to put a brave face on it. To be honest he has been so wonderful throughout this pregnancy I can't fault him on that and he is very excited about the baby but he is not very good at being forceful and does tend to freeze a bit in an emergency so hope that nothing happens where he has to be in charge

Haha it must be funny anyone reading this how bra obsessed we are but I does become a real issue doesn't it! Miss Bumpy you are so right it is really expensive being pregnant all those little things just really add up.

Feeling okay today but bump feels really heavy now and low down probably why I slipped does change your centre of gravity somewhat and I have a definite waddle now

Hope evryone has a nice realxing weekend planned we are off to PIL's tomorrow going to make some cushions for the baby's room with my MIL and chill out a bit and then going out to lunch on Sunday with new friends from DH's work who have a 18 month old so hoping to pick up lots of tips.

Morning everyone,

MrsJoJo, I feel for you having to deal with all those normal pregnancy worries when you're so far from your friends and family and when you're not sure about DH's abilities as a birthing partner. I'm sure he'll come through for you on the day though. I've heard of lots of men who are really scared about birth beforehand and insist they'll be staying away from the business end but once it's all happening they get really into it and they're so excited to meet their new baby that they end up down at the business end and cutting the cord etc. Hopefully the same thing will happen to your DH...or at the very least, he won't faint and he'll be able to hold your hand throughout . I don't think my DP's too keen on the idea of labour (nor am I but I don't have a choice in the matter !) but I'm hoping he'll be alright on the night.

Stefka, glad you got some sleep. I didn't I woke up at about 2 or 3am and just couldn't go back to sleep until 7am!! Good luck with the bra shopping. I don't think the Debenhams in London do maternity bras but I could be wrong. M&S do but they're not great. Do you have a John Lewis or anything like that near you? Or a special maternity shop?

Kitti, I know what you mean about the bump feeling heavier and lower. I think you're right that we're more accident prone once the baby's "dropped" because our centre of gravity shifts again. I'm sure I read that somewhere. Anyway, take care not to slip again. It looks truly miserable outside in London...cold, wet, and windy

Anyway, I'm off to see my cousin's daughter (does that make her my 2nd cousin?) as it's her 9th birthday this weekend. That means I'll also get to catch up with my cousin and to see her gorgeous 2 year old twins

Afternoon everyone. My thoughts are with you MrsJoJo. It's hard giving birth in a foreign country and I'll only have my husband for support as well (my family can't come over either and all my English friends have just had babies or are about to). Thankfully, Dh's work doesn't have any problems with him taking two weeks off when baby arrives even if they do tell him that I'm in labour every time I call and he's out of the office (the joke is getting very thin). Hope everyone has a good weekend. It's getting pretty uncomfortable now, isn't it?

Is it just me or does anyone else find the photos where women have babies in a sling slightly disturbing?
Its the feet sticking out the bottom with the head hidden.
Looks like shes nicked it!!
Try La Redoute for nursing bras they are quite nice.

Hi Foosfan.

I know what you mean about the slings. I like the idea of holding the baby close but I saw my friend carrying her baby in one the other day and the baby was so well hidden I was worried for her that people would bump into her (we were in central London) without realising there was a baby in there. At least with a pram people have to get out of your way or get mown down .

When are you due?

My shopping trip was a disaster! Everything I tried to get wasn't there. I was so so tired by the end of it. I am finding it harder to get around now - I feel so heavy and my pelvis aches.

Just been playing with my pram though which was fun

Still got to do the dreaded bra shop.

I keep on having days like that Stefka so I know how you feel

I recommend just getting the bras online. Getting fitted just seems to be such a palaver. If you're fairly confident of what size you are now, you could try ordering a few different bras one back size smaller and one cup size bigger (eg. if you're a 34D now, try a 32E) and then you can send back the ones that don't fit once the baby arrives.

Good luck with getting a good night's sleep. I've got some lavender in a burner and I've had a nice bath....fingers crossed I won't spend the whole night lying awake listening to DP snoring !

Hope that everyone slept well. I didn't do too badly.

I might brave the bra shopping again today. The other reason I didn't get it done yesterday is that one of the fitters in M & S also happens to be the mother of my husband's boss! I have only met her once at a party but I happened to get a fitting the next day. She didn't seem to recognise me though - I don't know if she really didn't because she was drunk at the party of if she was being professional but it was weird! I may just have to deal with her though. If I don't get it done today I will order on line.

The other stuff I needed has always been in boots but they have cleared the baby shelves for Christmas crap. Aww imagine this christmas with our bambinos!

Morning

It's going to be a lovely xmas isn't it? I know it's a bit cruel but we're tempted to dress our little one up in something like this!

I don't think I'd want to get measured for a bra by someone I knew. Does she work there all the time? Maybe you can lurk around until her shift finishes?!

Right, we've got to meet DP's (estranged) mum for lunch so I'd better go and pull myself together and find something suitably daughter-in-lawish to wear. What do you wear to meet your DP's mum for the first time when you're 37+5 weeks preggers?!

Yikes good luck with that meeting!! Your own family is hard enough work I reckon without having to deal with someone else's.

I went to mothercare for the bras and she said they don't do my size - they said I need a 32 E for a nursing bra. I went to M & S and someone else was on but she said the same thing. She helped me find something that will do though. I miss rigby and peller!

I am exhausted from the shopping though. I got a bit of a scare towards the end. I had stabbing pains on the right hand side of my tummy - a bit like a stich. I couldn't walk and had to call my hubby. It passed eventually but it did freak me out a fair bit.

Ouch! That sounds nasty Stefka. I've had a similar thing and I think I was told it was just ligaments stretching around the uterus. Or could it have been the baby giving you a big kick in the kidneys or something?

Why don't M&S and Mothercare stock many bra sizes? I find it really odd. I'm a 32 back size too and it's really hard to get nursing bras that fit...they all seem to start at 34" back. This is the one I tried on in Rigby and Peller that fit really nicely. It's cheaper on Figleaves than it was in R&P and you can use that code to get another 20% off. It comes in a 32E and I thought it was quite nice, soft, and supportive. Anyway, I really must stop going on about nursing bras. I'm becoming a bit obsessed !

The meeting with mother in law was strange. I actually found it really upsetting. DP doesn't get on with her and has pretty much cut her out of his life but he's never been able to properly explain why. I was expecting her to be an ogre but she was perfectly nice and I felt really sorry for her because both DP and his sister were just ignoring her. She gave me loads of DP's old baby things that she'd kept (his first birthday cake candle, old birthday cards, etc). I don't know why but the whole thing just really upset me. He can't stand her but I just felt really sorry for her

Anyway, he's gone out to have a night out with his mates leaving me on my own I don't want to stop him from enjoying his last few weeks of freedom before the baby comes but, at the same time, I do feel more clingy and needy than usual and I'd rather not spend lots of lonely nights in on my own.

Ah well, I've got chocolate in the fridge and I'm sure there'll be something rubbish on telly to entertain me. What are you all up to?

I am home alone too! I feel the same as you - I know he needs to go out and have a bit of fun and he did stay in with me last night but I just feel the need for loads of attention right now.

I have ice cream in my freezer!

I have just been listing a cot bumper I bought on ebay as it doesn't work on my cot. I wasted loads of money on stupid bedding that I totally don't need - ah well you live and learn.

I am really tempted by that bra, it's pretty. We are really skint though and I am not really sure I can justify spending the money.

We're totally skint too but I just bit the bullet and ordered it. I'm trying to ebay a few things to raise a bit of extra cash. I reckon a well-fitting nursing bra is an essential, not a luxury...that's how I justified it anyway! You could try ebay too. Do a search for 'nursing bra' and your size and see what comes up.

Home alone, skint, and heavily pregnant on a Saturday night...it's not a good combination is it?! DP stayed in with me last night too so I felt like I couldn't stop him from going out tonight. At least we've got chocolate and ice cream

I just finished my ice cream. I have been reduced to watching the x factor god help me.

Our guest has been away for a few days which was so nice but he is back tonight. I am not sure what is happening after that. I wish it would just get sorted asap!!

The good thing is my husband has seen how much more relaxed and happy I am when he is not around so hopefully that will motivate him to sort it out.

Oh no, hasn't the house guest situation been sorted out yet? That's such a tricky situation. Obviously you can't chuck him out onto the streets if he hasn't got anywhere to go but then I really wouldn't want a house guest to be staying when I go into labour or when I bring the baby back from the hospital. Can he afford to rent somewhere temporarily or is he broke?

Meeting the MIL has actually knackered me out so much that I'm thinking I might just have some dinner and go to bed. I should make the most of having the whole bed to myself to stretch out before DP comes home

BTW, one good thing about today's stressful lunch (apart from the fact that I was well fed ) was that my DP's sister is a GP and she checked my bump and confirmed that the baby's in the right position. It's managed to turn itself round (its back was facing left and now it's facing right, if that makes sense) but it's still head down and quite well engaged. I'm pleased because I was getting paranoid the other day that it might have un-engaged itself and got into a breech position.

That is good news about the GP - I am looking forward to getting checked out on Tues at my next midwife appointment.

He has been staying with someone else for a few days as he got a bit of work but doesn't have a permanent place to stay. I think he knows that it isn't really appropriate for him to be here. I do feel kind of bad because he doesn't have any money but the stress was not good for me or the baby. I just hope that it can get sorted properly soon so I can totally relax. I don't think hubby gets that I might be crawling around the floor half naked in the early stages of labour and that when the midwife comes to do my check ups she will be wanting to look at my fanjo!

That's a shame about your MIL - families are so bloody complicated.

lol at thought of you crawling round half naked in labour in front of bemused house guest! That would be one way of letting him know he's outstayed his welcome .

Families are complicated aren't they? I don't know why today upset me so much. Probably usual combination of pregnancy hormones and tiredness.

Right, I'm going to tear myself away from the computer and go and watch some rubbish telly before turning in for an early night.

Have a nice night

I am off to plaster about with the babies stuff for a bit then get an early night too. Got an all day NCT class tomorrow so need to be alert.

Hope you have a good night!

Morning people. Hope everyone slept better than I did last night. My back and hips and legs are all sore as hell and I just could not get comfortable. I have this class today and I am mega tired.

I am officially 38 weeks today - scary!

Hi everyone - just been lurking on the bigger Oct thread - but they are al having their babies already! It IS still September isn't it?!
Hope it's ok to join in - I am due on Oct 18th with first baby, a little boy. Been a difficult pregnancy so I can't wait for it to be over and to have him safely with us - not long now!
We are being monitored at hospital twice a week as he had a little heartracing incident a couple of weeks ago, calmed down now with me taking meds for him, but I wish I could say the same for my heart and blood pressure!
Hope you are all doing well, enjoying these last few weeks of aches and twinges!

Morning everyone and hello to Mandler

I think this is the most up to date list. Sorry if I've forgotten anyone...

Pinkdelight 12th Oct
WMWG 13th Oct
Stefka 14th Oct
Miss Bumpy & Kittiwake 15th Oct
Mandler 18th Oct
Primigravida 20th Oct
Mrs JoJo 30th Oct

I slept really badly too Stefka I went out like a light but woke up when DP came back at 1am or something (having promised to be back by 10pm!) and then didn't go to sleep until gone 3am because DP was up having late night snacks and generally faffing around . We've got lots to do today in terms of sorting out prams, car seats, and baby clothes etc but I'm knackered and he's still fast asleep!

Hope your all day NCT goes well Stef.

Mandler, sorry to hear you've been having a hard pregnancy. Not long to go now though

The class was good - lots of info but I have had a really difficult day. I am really tired which is making everything worse. I am really uncomfortable - heartburn, sore back, legs and a pain in my tummy also I feel a bit nauseas. To add to the joy the guest returned today.

I feel tense as hell, the house feels tense - I hate it. He came in and instantly started to do jobs around the house. I hate this because firstly it feels like a criticism - as if he thinks I am not keeping the house tidy enough. Secondly it feels manipulative - a sort of look how nice and helpful I am type thing. Also he does stuff I don't want him to do like sort my washing - I don't want him in at my nickers thanks very much.

I was exhausted so I had to go to bed, then DH came to bed and feel asleep. Guest called through the bedroom door for him - is it just me or is that rude? I told him he was sleeping. Then DH woke briefly to say he needed to get up and do washing for this guy! I told him to stay in bed and now I am sitting up, 9 months pregnant and exhausted waiting for the washing machine to end. Guest popped down and tried to take our washing up to our room and I had to tell him again that hubby was asleep. Ugh - I totally hate this

Hello to you mandler - I am starting to feel the same way about the pregnancy being over although we are still not prepared so it is a bit of a catch 22.

Hope you got your shopping done Miss B.

Oh Stefka, that sounds like a nightmare! I would be really annoyed too. What does your DH think? Does he want him to go too but finds it hard to show him the door? Or would he be quite happy for him to stay indefinitely? I know what you mean about not wanting him to go through your knickers but, the way I'm feeling right now, I'd be happy for anyone to go through my undies if it meant that I didn't have to do the washing/ironing/cleaning etc!!

I'm feeling knackered and uncomfortable too. Just had a big talk with DP about how we're going to manage money over the next year. He's going to be a student and not earning and I'm taking a year's maternity leave so we don't have much of an income. I hate having to have conversations like that. I just find it really depressing.

I've got my 38 wk appt with the midwife tomorrow! Then I'm going to try to go to an antenatal class in the afternoon although I'm not holding out too much hope after last week's fiasco! I'll feel good if I manage to go to at least one. I think tomorrow's one is about stages of labour and when to call the midiwife/go into hospital. Sounds pretty useful.

We managed to sort out the pram etc. We weren't buying them, we were just dusting off and sorting out the hand-me-downs we've been given. The pram's enormous! No way will I be able to get onto buses or tubes with that! Ah well, it'll have to do for now.

Hope you all manage to get a better night's sleep.

Morning everyone. Hope everyone had a goodnight's sleep. Sorry to hear that you're still having problems with your guest, Stefka. I know what you mean about feeling very uncomfortable, MissBumpy. I've been having contractions on and off all weekend and am just so fed-up with the whole thing right now. I've told my baby that he's got to make up his mind and either be born or leave me alone. Hopefully, he'll soon decide which it's going to be, I'm not due for another three weeks but right now I feel like I just want to get it all over and done with. Sorry about the whinge.