Due June - 'I can't remember my own name, let alone where I put the creme eggs...'

[PregnantPenguin]

For those of us with 3 months to go or less....

Morning all. Just in work after mw appointment. Found out that I can have a waterbirth at my hospital, but there's only one pool, so fingers crossed it's free when I need it! Also awkward little monster is transverse at the moment, so time to blow up the birthing ball I think. Had to have a blood test, and already have a huge bruise from it. Apart from that, everything fine.

I've had rotten heartburn for weeks, I get Mucogel on prescription which is great. I have a bottle in my drawer at work and one on the go at home too. It tasted foul at first, but I'm used to it now, and it really did work. Also got some Corsydol on prescription for my gums - may as well save as many pennies as possible!

Wine - I have had a few glasses - usually around 1-2 a week, but rarely finish them - I like the idea, but have gone right off it. Unless I mix it with lemonade, sacrilege, eh??! Must admit, I didn't even know I was pg til around 12 weeks, and had had my fair share of booze uptil then. As well as everything else we're not supposed to have! Doesn't seem to have done any harm so far, but will have to wait and see what pops out!

Aberdeenhiker, I got the Tommee Tippee pump too - they were half price in Tesco. Looks like an instrument of torture, so I've hidden it in the back of the wardrobe until needed.

Wish the penguin April Fool was for real! And the Pushmepullyou llama in today's Metro - did anyone see that?

I've been having the odd drink or two, but I've found that wine makes my heartburn worse - but i've discovered that champagne and beer have no such effect! I'm just going to have to drink champagne then (it's too cold for a beer - my mind tells me that it is a summer drink)

Upside - I'll be taking 6 months off work and after that DP will probably be workign part time/from home on a regular basis, as I earn more than him. Also, I don't think I could cope being off work for any longer - my brain would turn to fuzz!

Oh damn it - I fell for the flying penguin thing! (It was on BBC morning news this morning). With my nickname, you think I'd know better!

Great news Nettie! I'm hoping to take pretty much the same time as you off, also with DH working PT once I go back.

Sick of commuting now. Bank tube is undergoing something of a refit and is utter hell in the rush hour. Think I may see if I can work from home a couple of days a week from next week (boss not in again until then). Feel a bit pathetic asking tho. I must be the only Londoner praying for the tube strike to go ahead!

Keep hearing of May babies turning up early (three so far), all six weeks prem and all fine . Hoping that this LO doesn't get any ideas... Am I right in thinking that 1st borns usually turn up late?

nettie - I was ready to go back to work at 6 months last time too! This time I'm taking longer but that's just because the financial implications of two in nursery under the age of three make working a less attractive option.

whinegums - I think mine is lying transverse too and I'm very stressed about it. I've been on the birthing ball for ages and tried rocking on my hands and knees as well but so far no luck. I'm not quite desparate enough to try the flashlight/music though!

The may babies are practically matching the april thread! Although there seem to be two women in labour on the april thread at the moment which is exciting. (I think 1st babies are normally late).

They say 1st babies are generally late, mine was only 3 days and they had changed my original due date to a week earlier so I guess he compromised by arriving inbetween the two dates. Of my 6 NCT buddies all our babies were late so make of that what you will .

I too have been following the due in May baby announcements which have been quite exciting - good to see they are all doing well.

As for work this time round I am taking 12 months off, yes, yes, yes!!!!! I took 6 months last time and it flew by. I loved my job and found it quite easy to come back to work but I have to say I love being at home more and with having two little ones around I definitely think it will be easier for me to stay at home longer. It sounds very boring and domesticated but it really does make for a more stress free life with me at home as I can get all the silly little jobs done during the day and get tea on etc which means my dh comes home to a relaxed house. (Might be different with a toddler and baby around . Apologies if I sound like I am coming from the middle ages! I've just noticed that whilst it's not really stressful when I am working, everything does feel more rushed and I am sure that will only get worse with two to look after, especially as my eldest will be in the terrible two's bracket .

Afternoon ladies
Whinegums - I've also been having one or two drinks a week - normally red wine or beer. Even the most beautiful white wine just tastes like vinegar to me now - so annoying!

Got a baby monitor from ebay which arrived this morning and am so . DH jokingly sent me an email asking if I'd ordered a box of fags! Turns out the seller is obviously a heavy smoker as the parent unit is very nicotine stained and the whole package stinks of cigs. After initially deciding to send it back am going to try to clean it but really, it's bloody digusting! Grrr.

Went to GP this morning as worried I may have a urinary infection . Should hear in a couple of days but symptoms better today than over the weekend.

LO keeps sticking her foot in the top of my right rib cage which is really uncomfortable and makes me nauseous. Not enjoying work AT ALL today - I want to go home!

Aberdeenh - still plenty of time for them to get into the right position, eh? Maybe I have to spend less time lying on the sofa and more scrubbing the skirting boards, or some other old wives tale...

We don't know what's happening at work at the moment - I might be made redundant, if I do, I reckon I'll have about 8-9 months off, if not, I can take 14 months off (mat leave plus holidays). I'm hoping for the latter - I like my job, but a baby gap year and a bit sounds better!

Greenfairy - tis so annoying about the wine turning to vinegar thing. Friends have been primed to bring nice wine and stinky cheese and pate as soon as I have put the gas and air down. Nettie, I have found sparkly still tastes ok though. Expensive tastes...! at the baby monitor GF - that poor child!

I'm going paperwork today so I'm with you greenfairy! Only two hours left to go for me though (I get in early).

I have carried on drinking to the same degree I always did [waits for gasps of horror] but then I was a one-unit-a-month girl anyway!!

God I'm tired. Never mind virtual chocolate- think I need virtual ginseng!

I bought an Avent milking machine on the advice of an equally big-busted friend, but it's still in the box as I can't bring myself to test it. Did test the steriliser yesterday though...f course it was bought for this house, where we have an integrated microwave, but if/when we move we won't have a microwave so will have to buy one. Would have been cheaper to buy the electric one!!

Nettie congrats on the job.

Both mine were about 8months when I went back and I went back to a new job each time-I however am glad that I stay at home with the kids and dont think I could manage with 3 and a job.

Aberdeen I had the Avent manual one last time and it was awful....... thinking of the tommy tippy have also seen the lanishol in mothercare for the same price as there stuff is usually really good wonder if the pump will be

DS arrived 2days before scan date and on LMP date - DD was 2days before scan date and 2days after LMP date so not too bad....I have an awful fear at the moment that Im just not going to go for much longer I dont know why its silly but its making me on edge all the time...Wait till you see though this one will be weeks late.

Thank you needahand, will pass on the info as so worried for FIL.

That's it we went into town today and have done our baby shopping, 8 bottles, new teats, some muslins, a car seat, a new mattress for the cot and a present for DD from the baby. So we are finished.

Got a busy couple of weeks coming up as the second holidays are upon us.

Have sorted everythingh out with friend so huge relief all around.

Speaking to my mum (to guage how she went) my older brother was due on the 15th and labour started in the early hours of the 16th... I was indueced (as mum hadn't put any wieght on in the last 6 weeks ) and little brother was due early August, but his b'day is the 21st so mum says he was at least 2 1/2 weeks late... so basically, I have no idea if that will be an indication of whether Bug will be on time, early or late! I also have a friend due today so we are awaiting news from their house, as she said she will give me all the gory details to let me know what to expect! Joy!

induced even

Hiya

Well one crisis (water) has solved, but another (non-water - this time childcare) has raised its very ugly head. [beware rant]

I am working full time and DH and I decided to go along the nanny route as the best option for us since our hours can be long and inflexible. She is great and has a been a big help over the past 12 months with DS (18 months now). However, when I did her annual pay review on the w/end, she got very sniffy over the 10% pay high offered and what about a pension?.

I have since discovered that she is expecting to go from £300 net pw to £350 net pw, and this over a period when I'm going to be at home on maternity leave, so in theory I will be around to share the childcare burden. I'm betting that when I go back to work, a further increase will be expected. I suspect we'll give in in order to keep her, but rather resent being considered ungenerous when I thought I was being fair and am horrified about the financial consequences during a period when we'll be down to one salary that will have to cover everything and beyond.

God, if I thought I could get a 17% pay rise at work after a year in a job ...

BTW congrats Nettie and everyone who yearns for a drink, come join me in the corner with the virtual gin.

hi everyone - lots of chat on here since this morning! I definitely prefer a glass of something sparkly when I have my occasional glass - a nice cold glass of prosecco works a treat.

Well done on job nettie.

My mum told me she was in labour for 36 hours with me - I wish I'd never asked .

greenfairy whilst you are waiting for your test result, try to drink cranberry juice apparently it is good for UTIs.

Re pumps I did buy and electric one first time round (meleda or something) but I found that expressing did dry my supply as I don't think it stimulates you as the baby does. Still useful when breast are too full or when you need to go out.

Re maternity leave, I have taken the 12 months but I am hoping to find a new job during mat leave so that I can end the awful commute for both DH and me. Ideally Bristol would be brilliant fingers crossed.

With DD I nearly gave birth at 32 weeks but luckily labour was stopped and she then made her entrance at 40+5.

I am a bit worried though as she was 8Lb6 and apparently boys and second babies are bigger so I am dreading having a whopper.

needahand if you want more info on Bristol PM me as I live here.
Is a lovely city, with lots of hidden gems.

And yes, I find sparkly still works - but not lovely lovely Sauvignon Blanc sadly!

Going to this restaurant on Saturday to celebrate our anniversary/ my bday. A guy I used to work with, a noted restaurant critic, says it's the best restaurant in Bristol. V excited!

mellymel - ouch - I'm not sure I'd be willing to keep on a nanny who was asking for unreasonable pay rises (and the amount of money you pay is staggering to me - but I'm not on a London salary so we flat out couldn't afford it - I know childcare is cheaper up here). A colleague who had a nanny made a deal that she would increase the nanny's salary by the same percentage as her own salary increased - which meant that it was affordable. Could you try to negotiate a pay rise based on something like this?

needahand - 32 weeks is me next week and I'd definitely not be ready for this one to arrive so early. Glad they managed to hold things until your due date! And second babies aren't always bigger, my little brother was a few ounces smaller than me on arrival!

Thanks greenfairy you already offered info and I WILL ask you when (if? ) the times come. I need to find a job there first but probably won't start looking until November's time I guess. I hope it will work out, I so want to move to Bristol although I have never been crazy hey? How is your UTI? Restaurant seems fab, but I know I would find it very hard not to eat what I am not supposed to eat. I am finding it hard enough staying clear of camembert cheese (and before their is an outraged outcry...it is pasteurised).

mellymell good nannies always do that! My best friend has had the same problem. And it is not like you really have the choice is it? They know they hold you at ransom

Aberdeenhicker thanks for reassurance re-size. Someone mentioned the "second baby are bigger" thing this weekend and it really freaked me out!

Off to MW appointment see you later girls.

I seem to have followed suit on my mothers labour (so much so when she was with me with DD she said it was basically text book to what happened to her) apart from she was induced with me I was due 1st June and arrived 27th May on a 3 hour labour......ds was 3.5hours dd was 3 please let me drop another half hour.

The lanisoh and tommy tippy have good reviews on MN My DH was great at getting up even if not required to for the night time feeds and after the 1st couple of weeks bottle ready in the fridge and I took full advantage...if he insisted on being awake then I was sure as going to sleep

Melly very at your Nanny could she not come to some kind of arrangement with you that if that kind of payrise has to be inforced you could do half now and half when you return to work surely thats not unreasonable. 17% would be fantastic on a yearly basis instead of a cruddy 1.5 or whatever the measly beggers gave me at work. I will join you for a virtual Gin in the virtual sunny garden.

greenfairy yum looks lovely.....2nd the wouldnt be able to stop eating banned food though, I have also let myself slip on the occassional brie and bacon panini but I figured hey its cooked

My dd was 10oz bigger than DS and they have told me this is def a bouncer gulp....my granny makes me laugh she had 3 and they went up a 1lb each time 5,6and7 she was so small no-one knew she was pregnant, when in with my mum 5lb one midwife asked the other had she given birth yet to the response of yep twins 1lb each.

A neighbour with 3 boys has taken my ds to the park the peace is heaveny but the rain has just started chucking

Thanks all for the sympathy. Must say it is a bit of a bugger when you think you are being generous and are told otherwise. Trouble is living in Clapham where there is a mass of nannies all comparing pay and packages, and foaming at the mouth about being underpaid and underappreciated.

Right, enough of this crap on this discussion thread from me. Who wants to hear my daring do stories of crusty ball cocks (my plumbing) / developing SPD / heart burn / expectations of a 9+lb boy in June?

Have finished the gin, now pass the packet of virtual fags.

Josey, was your first labour really 3.5 hrs from start to finish??!! God, I hope we're related! Mellymel, a 10% payrise for anyone this year is amazing. We won't be getting anything, not even a cost of living one.