Due March 2008 - for our early arrivals and the loooooong 3rd trimesters

[merryberry]

Hello all.

and what charmers those babies are!

Am feeling very proud of myself as I finally plucked up the courage to go to the dentist - after 10 years of putting it off.
Admittedly the prospect of free treatment and a troublesome wisdom tooth forced me to make the appointment but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

They gave me a scale and polish and a temporary filling on another tooth. I have to go back after the birth to have X rays and sort out this troublesome wisdom tooth, but after childbirth I'm guessing that this will be a doddle!

Thanks for the advice everyone... I was kinda hoping someone else would have experienced the same thing but of course I have to be different!! I am actually starting to get cramping again just now and am praying it just subsides in a few minutes.........

I will defo call MW in the morning though. I prob should have done it this morning but I am one of those who doesn't want to worry anyone and DP's family r a pretty tough crowd who've all got at least 2-3 kids each and have been through it all so any of my little "woes" are brushed off and kinda laughed at a little bit IFYNIM. I think they are honestly just trying to put my mind at rest but I do usually usually have a reasonable pain threshold but having not had period pains for the last 9 months and only being allowed to take paracetamol when I am usually gulping down the Anadin Extra was just making me think maybe I have never really felt "real" pain until this since you can't take anything strong to stop it so maybe it's not as bad as I am making out but I will call MW and just be brave and try to hit home just how sore it was last night.

It's strange cos I know it was painful but have forgotten exactly how painful now that I have had a day of normal BH "waves" you know?

Anyway, I have to shorten my posts!!! Blah blah blah!

Thanks again...

PurlyQueen I just HAVE to say congrats on going to the dentist for the 1st time in 10 yrs!! I am petrified of the dentist and even going for a check up has me having heart palpitations from the day I make the appt!!! I have just moved to a new dentist because half of my front tooth cracked right up the middle a few weeks back and I could not find an NHS dentist anywhere near my area! Thanks to the pregnancy though she just patched up my tooth (looks fine) did scale and polish like you got and is delaying xrays etc until after the baby arrives.... I am hoping that giving birth and being a mum for the 1st time will make going to the dentist nothing!!!! I feel your pain though!!!!!(dentist wise obviously )

Dear all,

I'm still here, just had to catch up with four pages of chat and already forgotten what was on first one!

Anyway, head 3/5 engaged, which as we all know is only a step in the right direction and doesn't say much - so still could be tomorrow or weeks as this is my first and I'm only just 36 weeks!

But I'm as ready as I'll ever be, so bring it on!

Ok, going to read again so I can catch up properly on tales of constipation and horrendous sounding BH!

Good evening ladies. Took quite a while to get through that little lot!

Glamma, that really sucks about the mould! Don't know how the Co-op works, but would it do you any good to speak to your GP and/or midwife and get their opinions? If GP thinks it is bad, maybe they could write a letter to the Co-op?

Paranoid, I agree with everyone esle about speaking to m/wife, but wanted to tell you that I have a friend who, with her first, was regularly woken up at night in a lot of pain and had to kneel in bed on all fours, even propping herself up like it to get back to sleep! But then again, she does have a ridiculously low pain threshold....

HQ, I second AdelaideJo on the Floradix suggestion. Obviously not as strong as prescribed iron tablets, but if you are only borderline it will probably build you up gently over the next week or so.

Anyway, I am up very late for me, so think it is time to say goodnight and trundle off to bed. xxx

morning all, how are we today? Which is the most popular aching part?

First day of mat leave today (well, technically, 12 days of annual leave first then mat leave from 25th) and at least i'd managed to listen to my hypno cd in peace before the postman knocked the door to deliver 1/3 of my birthing pool package. Wasn't expecting that until tomorrow so hope the other 2 parcels arrive then!
Last day in work was a bit of an anti-climax. Got a bouquet from the girls on the team but no baby pressie which quite surprised me...they said i'd get that when they come round to see us after the baby's born, but without wanting to sound too ungrateful, that means i don't know what i still have to buy non-essential wise! I'd given a few hints, but now i may end up duplicating stuff...or of course i could just wait until after the birth but where's the fun in that?

Had my presentation scan yesterday morning, asked how big the baby was and got told "oh, average". Well thanks, that's a lot of help.
The lovely clinical notes state it's a "single, live, active fetus"....bless, he'd be so pleased to be described as that! Anyway, all is well and he's head down, spine to the left looking to the right as i observe from above, though i'm sure he's moving side to side as it pleases him

Also, have now had 2 nights uninterrupted by toilet visits, what's that all about??!!
HAve told DH about last night's dream, nothing as spectacular as giving birth to kippers or whatever, but i dreamt we agreed on a name!!! So he's mulling over the name choice and can so far only think of one footballer he dislikes with the same name but different spelling.

Off out in an hour or so for a shopping expedition in Swindon with fellow preggers mate and unfortunate non-preggers one who has to cope with both of us whinging, so apologies for the long post but it'll be this afternoon before i'm back to catch up on today's epic ramblings from us all!

just had a classic phone call- "hello it maureen from Bronglais antenatal clinic- you seem to have missed a few appointments so can we see you soon to check everything's ok?"

whereupon i fell on the floor laughing and the other end of the line went silent i asked if she wanted me to bring the twins with me when i came for my antenatal checkup- she must have gone bright red on the other end and said "ooh, i've just read your notes- sorry!"

Typical NHS organisation!

Paranoid - hope you are feeling better, or if not at least not worried about it. I have been getting lots of BH and some quite painful, but yours sound awful.
Glamma, your mould situation sounds bad too. I agree with feedme - mould can be nasty for asthma but you probably don't want to use the harsh chemicals to get rid of it.
I think the 'nesting' thing is finally kicking in. DH was looking forward to this (I'm normally v untidy!) but is starting to see the downside of a daily list of jobs and having half his stuff thrown away! Seems to involve lots of internet shopping / research too! How did preggers ladies cope before the internet? I live an hour from a decent town and there's no way I could drive that far now.One of the things I have found is the receipt for the washing machine - it's 15 years old! Contemplating a new one, the thought of baby + nappies + normal washing - washing machine =
Is anyone else getting v sharp twinges in their groin. It seems a muscular thing but v sharp and i have to move my leg in response. Bit scared about driving! It happens more when LO is wriggling / violently trying to escape so I guess its pressing on something.

fitnfortyone - I'm right there with you on the uninterrupted toilet visits. I was down to one a night but now it's about 5.

I'm still sick

Part that hurts most- right between the legs! Walking like a sloth still although I just pray I'm not waddling!

Preggers, that is classic!

Just found out that half the stuff on our John Lewis list ISN'T coming tomorrow!! Grrr...

But still going to have a good 2nd-last day of work!

at preggers

Hmm. Was only 4/5 engaged when I went to midwife yesteray morning. Have woken up this morning to find half my bump gone and baby's head a LOT lower. (waddling already? NO!) Anyone else experience overnight vanishing bump?

LOL at preggers phone call!

One day on the Floridix and I feel much better, thanks for the direction.

Also off to lunch with preggers friend and non preggers friend, must think of non baby non pg topics!

Favourite hurting bit - side of bump, think it's from turning over in bed ALL night. Not one side is comfortable for very long so I keep alternating. Poor dh.

Sounds like you would know if you are engaged? Mine still high and no idea from GP when he felt around yesterday.

MM-When midwife felt his head it was sore, I said ow, she said yup, that'll be his head engaging. 4/5 actually means that 1/5th of his head is in there, but I literally stood up this morning, looked down, and thought"where is the top bit of my bump?" I have no feet pushing my stomach up my throat any more and it's very odd. Must go make that disc for you...am having mental block about it.

mines not engaged yet i dont think, my sis is training to be a mw so i regularly get prodded by her and she can still feel the head bobbing around all over. she can pick up the hb with a pinniard as well which is nice and reasuring (not that we have many inactive days!)

touch wood but no constipation yet, i think its down to my addicition to oranges. i managed to get some blood oranges the other day which i havent had for years.

my mothercare stuff came this morning so dd2 has been having a practice on the bugaboo board, shes taken to it like a pro and thinks its a great game. they sent me moses basket sheets though instead of crib ones! i only have one proper crib sheet so definitly need some. anyone know anywhere that does nice fitted ones?

Piggy, I'm getting sharp groin pains, started a week or so ago. Never had it with others, so quite strange for me. But then again I seem to be experiencing a lot of things in this pg that are new to me!

I'm pretty sure I'm waddling cos everything just feels so different when I'm walking. I keep trying to not waddle but I doubt I'm being all that successful!

MM, glad the floradix is helping. I was really amazed when I started taking it that it seemed to make a difference so quickly. Although I haven't actually had mine for the past few days and think Iought to resume...

I am completely inexperienced with what it feels like when the baby suddenly "drops". My dd never engaged, even during labour (EMCS) and my ds didn't engage prior to ElCS either. So I have never experienced the joy of suddenly not having squised stomach, squished ribs, etc, until the baby was actually born. And at that stage I don't really think those things were top of my list of priorities!!!

Piggy, I am also getting them, checked with the Obstetrician, which said it is ok, nothing to worry about.

Been to some Natural Birth classses, and got some advise about softening the cervix by putting some evening primrose oil down below, has anyone heard of it?
We were also shown a video of a circumcisions, quite disturbing indeed, it is apparently done without anaesthesic at all, really makes you think.

Has anyone got any views on Vitamine K injection at birth versus giving 3 doses orally? I am afraid that he will already be stressed out from the birth and there is this new research about diabetic.

Also, for the one having a boy, just read: Raising Boys from Steve Biddulph, it seems quite sensible and explains how different they are, what are their specific needs, as well as giving advice on how to avoid them being behind at school etc... and it is not preaching. Will not know about the validity until he is a grown up but at least trying.

Otherwise, trying to pass my driving test (already passed a UK one 12 years ago but did not drive since and Bermuda does not accepts any foreign permit in order for the driving school to keep on making money - not even jocking) so I can get around a bit more easily once LO is born since I won't be able to put him on a scooter (most effective way of transport in Bermuda-no worries I am not using one at present ), or take the bus since only umbrella prams are allowed on it. The Driving instructor is however driving me crazy - well any man giving you instructions to go right/left etc... probably would at present. We also have to buy a car .... still can't beleive that a 10 years old plus Suzuki Alto for example can cost $3000 plus. We don't need much more than that since all the journey we do are very small.

DP has learned that he will be having a big 3 weeks trial from the 23rd of June to the 14th of July, this is exactly when his parents are coming to Bermuda (one day plus or minus. They are not going to be staying with us but his mum really wants to spend as much time as possible with LO and me, she is lovely but she really can drive me crazy. She is the typical greek mama in many ways but at the same time she has decided that since she is 60 years old, she should not have to look after the others anymore but the other way round i.e. you cook while she seats on the sofa and talks very nicely to you ...grrrr. Practicing breathing exercise right now . Looking for Mum and Baby class only to do during that period.

At least got one very good news, we have rented the flat in London and DP is now happy with it, as he was quite reticent at first.

Sorry about the ranting...but needed it... off to eat ice cream or worms .

Those of you who do Sainsbury's online...50% off loads of baby wipes, cotton buds, maternity pads+pants, etc. Not a lot in itself, but it all adds up.

The baby stuff is all half-price in-store as well .

As we're talking about retail therapy, Gap's sale is worth looking at as it's only on for a few more days. I bought one red and one black fake wrap dress for £9.99 each, a pair of cream cords for a fiver and a pink vest for £3.99.

no pains! counting my blessings there today. have nausea, constant quite MS-y feeling, and have managed to totally overdo things this am with walk to playgroup and back. am wiped out. come along due date. come along...

supposed to be organising my birth pool today. don't dare try to hold a phone convo though, due to need to hang over loo occassionally. ds1 will be having a 'let's sit outside and blow bubbles' session when he wakes up, i need the fresh air. all the windows are open in the house at present. bet the neighbours think i'm nuts, but there is a lot of spring in the london air today I think.

prisci driving lesssons would be my licence to kill at this stage I think! and at your MIL for stopping life at 60! Surely she won't be able to contain herself and sit around for weeks? My dear mum is 60 now and plans on working years yet.

Merry...do it over the internet...much easier!

A colleague pointed out to me this morning that I can now count the number of days I have left at work on one hand I'll be coming back to a completely new job (newly created so no incumbents to talk to now), and my old job ceases to exist next Friday (the day after I leave) so I am tidying up my inbox, throwing things away and generally having a big clear out. I only have a few things to hand over for continuity. It feels so good to be able to completely stop this job and not have to worry about the next one until I'm ready to come back!

Prisci - I was figuring we'd have the Vit K injection at birth mainly because if the baby is quite stressed anyway and having a few checks for APGAR etc. anyway it shouldn't add too much to his stress, plus I think I'd rather just get it over with and not have to worry about us having to see the midwife/HV for the oral which is required at birth, 7 and 28 days I think when we'd rather just be at home cuddling.

As with many websites, I'm not sure how reliable this website is but it may put your mind at rest about some of the issues with injectable Vit K as it seems reasonably well balanced and sourced.

Help me out girls- we're meant to start classes at the hospital tonight... but DH has to work late to get a presentation ready... we've already been to NCT classes... I'm not a bad parent already for skipping this one out, am I?? I promise to try really hard to go next week- esp since I won't be working!

e14mum, they won't be telling you anything you don't already know or can't find out on mumsnet. Don't worry about it.

e14- stay home. It's cold outside.