Due July 08 - Third trimester - we're on the coundtdown YIPPEE!!!!

[minipinkscottish]

Couldn't fix the title so thought I'd start again - hope this is okay now!!!

All your hospital bags are lovely I have a suitcase lol well it's my travel case that I used many years ago at work. Even though I'm having a homebirth or if I do go to hospital I will be out of there as soon as they catch the placenta I have loads I need to take. 2 big towels, PJs, going home outfit, pants, towels, toiletries and then theres the babies things. I definitely don't travel light!

pigley - happy maternity leave, sounds like you were really spoiled, I did maternity baskets for a couple of women and loved doing them such fun. It won't seem any different to holidays until the baby is born IYSWIM and then your world turns on it's head and you won't give work a second thought (in a good way). Glad the tests went well too.

Oh I think I am now going to have to get a hospital bag because you all have! I was just going to take in my old faithful overnight bag...but think I will splash out!

Apart from the obvious I found breakfast bars or snacks handy. I was sooo hungry and the cafeteria offerings were blahhh. Also get friends/family to bring in bananas/fruit etc.
I also took in some water mist spray - it was hot when DH born and also quite cooling and refreshing.

DH brought a fan in but they would not let me use it, so he went to M&S and found a battery operated hand one. It was ok but I did not really have a free hand.

Above all do not worry if you forget anything - that is what our DH/DP's are for!

*sorry meant DD. Definitely did not give birth to my DH!!!!!!

Hi All you chatterboxes

Re HENNIGHT - I went off to Amsterdam with 14 friends - had a great time. We split up thought to do our own thing during the day and met up at night. Went to the cat museum and Madame Tussaueds (sp?) and had a massage. I went off with Mum and SIL. At night did the river cruise and had nice meals - was a great giggle. Went back the follwoing year for a friends' hen and got dragged around the 'cafes' and into a sex show - not my scene but it was her Hen.
A spa day is fab though - I love treatments and pool etc.

SK - My P&T is Apple. My bedroom is violet and maroon with splashes of fuschia - very boudoirish - multi-coloured chandalier light and organza material drapes all over. I am having a beautiful Buddha print framed at the mo' to hang on the wall so i can see it every morning when I awake as it induces calm and reflection in me. I adore my bedroom and ti is my 'sacred' place where I can be alone when I need to Green is very calming though but I'd go with the red.

I just use a pink wheeley case for a hospital bag.

MINIPINK - your family sounds like they might all be in the 2012s in London! Sporty or what!

My DD adores dancing - she even dances to the rythm of the pump blowing up the gym ball. I put 1 of my bellydancing hip scarves on her a couple months ago and she was shimmying away - so cute she is only 19 months! her Daddy plays guitar and sings to her and she just dances away and then gives a round of applause when finished.

DH is off for a few days so I went shopping sans DD today. Totally overdid it and was shuffling along before long. My bump is aching now . Still have got all I need for hospital bag now and treated myself to a lovely patent red handbag, leopard print top and black shrug for post baby.

Also went into Ann Summers and bought a black, strong, boned corset with ribbons to hoist my ribs back in when baby comes out. I really noticed a big difference post DD in my rib cage. As your ligaments relax to allow for baby the ribs don't always go back to where they were before and this allows more fat to be laid down on your torso which is more dangerous re heart disease etc. Worth a try IMO!

RE CRAMP
www.worldwideshoppingmall.co.uk/body-soul/no-8-mag-phos-tissue-salts.asp

You'll get them in Holland and Barrat too.

Comgrats on maternity leave girls - did you not have a tear in your eye when all your colleagues were so nice? I am quite pathetic at the mo'. Had another treatemtn yesterday form my therapist and finally got around to 'dealing' with my DHs accident (nearly 5 years ago) spent the whole time blubbing and was mazed at the stuff that I became more aware of - consequently was exhausted emotionally and physically last night and today. Watched Child of our Time and ended up in tears again as wee Eve's Mammy died of cancer . i have been watching it since 2000 ( I love Prof Robert Winston).

New tumble drier arrived today so will use it tomorrow as Dh is going up the loft to retrieve baby clothes - I'll be washing like mad the next wee while.

Gigantic post !!!

Take care allxxxx

Hello all - am sitting here half-naked (sorry if tmi) while waiting for the re-colouring of my roots to take and DH is out playing pool! As usual I've got splatters of dye all over the shop... one advantage of the bump was to catch a few drops!

Parents brought over P&T buggy end of last week.. it is sooo pretty and shiny new (but for how long?!). Obv at the moment I am only using it as a single but it is a lot easier to use in terms of 'pushability' especially when taking DS across the field to the swings. Downsides for current situation are however that a)it's a lot heavier than a maclaren b)it does tend to try and roll away a lot and the brake is quite stiff and absolutely seems to be the worst movement to attempt with SPD and c)basket is really too low for me to get anything in or out (DS loves taking things in and out of it though!) so I had to spend extra on a 'hang bag' which as it turns out is basically a bum bag to go across the handles and wasn't really worth the cash. But, hopefully all of those features won't be so much of a problem post-birth, when of course I will be much stronger, more flexible, etc. Yep.

Of course now I will have to go out and get an OiOi bag or similar to match my shiny new buggy...

Doing ok otherwise, knackered today but other good news is that I got some linen drawstring trousers and they are just the most comfy thing, second only to pjs!!

Evening all

My hospital bag is a small suitcase on wheels which holds all for me and baby, and a little bag for birth which contain:

Nappy
Vest
B-gro
Mits
Hat
Blanket

Pads
Socks
Glocose sweets

The suitcase on the other hand is packed with everything and the kitchen sink! I am hopeing i will be induced again this time, as i can plan the kids, DP and me. (that sounds mad but i do)
BH really kicking in here today. Hpe you ladies are all well.

Pigleychez, on your last day, bet that feels good..

Hi all

Feeling as something is up with my browser so I've lost the last message I typed. So I just thought I'd say hello instead .

Hello everyone. I've been absent for a few days so apologies if I don't comment on everything I'm yet to catch up on.

I've been in hospital!

I got some sharp pains in my lower right abdomen on Tuesday, rang the antenatal clinic and they told me to come in. My blood pressure was high and they did an internal examination and found I was 2cm dilated! So I have been holed up in the Induction of Labour Ward for the last three days while they monitored me. I discharged myself this evening as I needed to go home. They didn't offer me a shower or anything in 3 days and I felt disgusting.

Anyway, the long and short of it is that I could go into early labour at any time. I have had a course of steroid injections to strengthen the baby's lungs in case it comes early - which is likely.

I have quite a heavy sensation in my pelvis and will have to go straight back into hospital if I have the slightest contraction. Girls - pack your bags - it was aweful being in there without any bits and pieces - I had to get DH to go out and buy me a toothbrush etc!

Oh - and the NHS does give you food (well they did at UCLH) and it was actually quite good - got a menu and all!

Soooo, I came home and packed everything. I have been online ordering every last thing I could possibly need for the baby - not taking any chances and waiting now.

Was meant to have two more weeks of work before ML too but that won't be happening now!

I'm 32+2 and praying this baby will wait a bit longer. If I can make it to 36 weeks LO will have a much better chance.

Hope you are all well - sorry, didn't mean to scare any of you.

Peanut. xx

Oh Peanut!! How scary - hope baby hangs on a bit longer!
Take care. xx

ooh peanut - sounds like you might be the first!
Hope you manage to hang on a bit longer though - lots of rest!

Sending you positive vibes xxx

Thank you so much ladies - it's very scary. I will keep you posted as much as possible. xx

wow peanut hope that LO stays in there a bit longer

rest as much as you possibly can, do nothing

I have known people leak waters, have a few contractions be dilated then it all stop for weeks, fingers and everything crossed for you

Hang on in there Peanut, and rest all the time. My sis had this, but it started much earlier than yours (about 7 months, If I remember correctly). She made it to 38 weeks before the LO appeared!! So, do as you're told and REST!

Went for another foetal blood flow scan today, and the good news is that it's dropped back down to just above averge - yay! So I don't need to go back for 4 weeks, and they are feeling really confident that there the anti-E is not affecting the baba

peanut

i said to dp tonight 'everyone else has packed their bag' and he poured scorn!

well done coming home and at hospital facilities

you MUST rest though as poledra says

just need to check - this is your first isn't it?

How rightening for you peanut! Everyone is right - rest, relax (I know easier said than done) and keep knitting!
In my last ante-natal class we had babies arrive at 31 and 35 weeks and you should see them now - big, boisterous and happy little boys!
Take very good care and like isaidno - am sending positive vibes also!

peanut i had the same thing with my DS he arrived at 35 wks in the end he just didnt want to wait
a a precaution they gave me steroids
if you had the same ones man did they sting
just rest and rest some more
i had 2 early babies one weighed 5lb and one 9lb both at 35 wks totally different
this one now is heavy i have a draggin feeling down there i also have apinprick hole and leaking small amount of water where he is so big but i do have GD explains the bigness

I've decided to go to the baby show today!!! Don't need anything, but it's p*ssing down here, I'm only 30 mins from the nec and I can't resist the shopping!

Peanut thinking of you and your LO, if we all send positive vibes, let's hope it stalls for a good few weeks yet. Glad you felt ok to come home.

Went to the physio yesterday, pelvis is realigned but bloody sore, didn't realise the funny cone shape I get when I lean back is my separated tummy muscles!!! I have to avoid that cone if I stand any chance of getting back in shape!!

Bugaboo Bee ordered and going on a spree Monday for the rest. Hospital bag in process.

Oh peanut how worrying. Fingers crossed that your baby hangs on inside for as long as possible. Don't forget you can ask your Dr to sign you off from work (sounds pretty likely that he/she would) and therefore you don't have to start your formal mat leave early. Your employer can only insist you start your mat leave if you're off sick with a pg related condition in the 4 weeks before your due date. Might get you a couple more weeks with the baby after it is born rather than having to take it before.

this is my bag, in apple green I got quite a few bits and pieces yesterday, so far it consists of:
Washbag
Dark shortie pj's for after baby is born
2 big tshirts for labour
Maternity pads (x 3 packs)
1 box breast pads
Baby wipes for me
Antibac wipes
Antibac hand gel
Big knickers x6
Cotton wool

Still need to pack/get:
Baby's other things (2x vests & gro's, blanket, hat scratch mitts)
Snacks & drink
Dark towel
Make up
Nappies
Hair bobbles
Socks
Flip flops
Notebook & pen

In fact think I will try and get all the other bits done this weekend, can relax a bit then. Although at mw app't on tues she said baby is measuring 35 weeks (I was 32+1 at the time) and so am thinking this might be a big one, so maybe it will be early which means I've got lots to pack in to a potentially shorter period! DS was just over a week early so I'm hoping for similar anyway. Still need to: shampoo carpets throughout house/sort out spare room (a dumping ground) so that ds can move in there instead of the weeny room that's just right for a baby/source the furniture that he will need/get oven professionally cleaned cos its so revolting/arrange for window cleaners to come/have a good clear out and get about a gadzillion things listed on ebay (I collect vintage fabrics and have far too many pieces to ever contemplate using) plus tons of other nesting jobs that I really want to get done in advance. Plus spending more time with ds, poor little chap his nose is going to get so out of joint with the lo's arrival I think.
But I am sooo tired and cumbersome that I don't know if I'll manage it all! Not that the baby will mind if the carpets aren't shampood but there sure as hell isn't going to be time afterwards

oh peanut sorry about your experience. Something similar happened to my sister and it was weeks before she had my niece, so hopefully you can rest for a bit before your little one makes his/her appearance. At least you are getting sorted now

When I went in unexpectedly for ds1 my dp was great overall but did manage to bring some light coloured tops and a black bra . So it's better to do the packing yourself ime .

minkus I feel guilty about doing things with ds2 at the moment; I'm not up to much so he spends most of his mornings watching tv/playing on the computer/quietly playing on his own. And unsurprisingly he's not sleeping very well! He went round to a friend's house yesterday morning before nursery and slept far better than usual. I know I ought to get out with him but walking anywhere is a struggle.

Don't think our spare room/study/dumping ground will be sorted out before the baby but at the very least dp and I want to clear out a few of the shelves so there's enough space for a sofa bed. My mum or dad will probably be sleeping downstairs and it will really help dp to have somewhere else to crash if the baby's sleep patterns are anything like the those of the other two.

Blimey Peanut! DEFINATELY rest! thats pretty scary stuff. Your news has really spurred me on the pack my bag asap and it obviously shows you just never know!

First day of Maternity leave and ive not long woke up which was nice. I'm actually typing this on the laptop whilst laying in bed!

Plans for today- need to pop into town and buy a birthday prezzie for a friend then home for abit of nesting!
DH has a lot of mates around tomorow evening for a Poker night so best tidy up abit.
Im off out for a meal for a fiends birthday so will be leaving them to it!

Poledra- glad everything went well at your scan.

Good luck peanut. Hope you can rest and do nothing.

I definitely overdid it yesterday and am really aching today - my bump is pretty painful - not normally like this til the evening. DS's birthday today so can't really take it easy today either. Hopefully w/e will be easier. DH has been away for a couple of days.

Hospital bag half packed. Wondering why posh bags needed for hospital - who's going to see them?

Hi everyone, I am still in the land of living!!!!!!

Holiday was fabulous apart from the fact that DS got chickenpox whilst we were out there and was not allowed to come home on our original flight!

DH came home on Sunday as expected but I had to stay out there with DS.

We were moved into the main town of Argostoli into a very nice hotel that was central. Unfortunatley with the heat, the lack of car, things were limited.

I had a slight fall on the Monday when I slipped on the marble precinct and managed to pull a muscle in my bum, so I am now waddling around like a duck.

I am absolutely exhausted and don;t really feel like I;ve had a holiday.

Went back to the hospital on Wednesday and DS was given the go ahead to fly, so caontacted the insurance company and they arranged a flight for us that afternoon which was great until we got to the airport and found it closed!

Called the ins co again, only to find that they'd been given the wrong date for the flight and it was infact Thursday.

DS was so upset and cried all his way back to the hotel and luckily they managed to put us up for the extra night.

Being 33 weeks pregnant in a foreign country on your own (adult I mean) with a very lively 4 yo is bloody hard work.

Got to the airport yesterday and discovered that there was an air traffice controllers strike and we weren't sure we'd be able to get out then. After a five hour delay (with nothing really to entertain a 4 yo at the airport apart from a book) we got on our flight and arrived home at 10.30pm last night. (12.30 greek time and DS had been up since 5.30 as he was so excited about coming home!

Well if you wrote a short story on this no one would think it was possible. Unfortunately DS is still on greek time and was up at 5.30 again today.

Sorry this is all a me, me, me post, but I thought I would share my exciting adventure with you.

I know squarah is out there somewhere and we could've met up but I had no way of contacting her until after she'd arrived.

I now need to do the mountain of washing, go and get some food in, look after DS and keep him amused as food shopping is not really his thing and my parents have gone away for the weekend so can't even palm him off on them for a couple of hours!

Que sera sera. Also I need to find the time to catch up on all the posts. Has anyone had their baby yet?

DH texted me at the airport yesterday and said what else can go f***g wrong? Don't answer that! I did mention I could have the baby at this rate.

I've got my consultants appointment on Monday and I dread to think what my blood pressure reading will be. Plus I have to go back to work. Oh well.

Catch you later..........

So sorry for the long long post.

libralady - you poor thing! You must be exhausted! Take a few deep breaths!

Oh Peanut, good luck! Hope you get lots of rest and everything's OK.

Libralady - you must be shattered! Hope you get a relaxing weekend.

My hospital bag's not terribly posh - it was my Christmas present from DH as I needed a new overnight bag anyway. It's already been used a few times but it's a good size for hospital.