Due June 08 - Creme egg season is over, summer is now here, so time to tidy the ladygarden before the big day

[bitofadramaqueen]

I wonder how quickly we'll get through this thread?!?!?!?!

essie - your timing is definitely worse than mine! the 16th of July eek! I have turned over first authorship of a couple things to a colleague as I know I can't do everything but I am trying to keep the best career-promoting stuff on the go... We'll see how well I manage. I'll probably be on here blubbering about how I've failed to get stuff done in the autumn.

AH my IMW plan is to go to hospital to get the first dose of antibiotics them home for home birth (would have to decide wether I want the other doses of AB). I just could do without the interruption. I'm worried it might interfere with the hypnobirthing

neen if you are around you didn't say, did the hypnobirthing help at all?

Don't have any pain in the undercarriage so far but then DS is not engaged yet. I am getting loads of painful BH though

I empathise with those of you with studying/writing to do. I am supposed to do my remaining CPD but I really reallly can't be bothered at the moment

AH my IMW plan is to go to hospital to get the first dose of antibiotics them home for home birth (would have to decide wether I want the other doses of AB). I just could do without the interruption. I'm worried it might interfere with the hypnobirthing

neen if you are around you didn't say, did the hypnobirthing help at all?

Don't have any pain in the undercarriage so far but then DS is not engaged yet. I am getting loads of painful BH though

I empathise with those of you with studying/writing to do. I am supposed to do my remaining CPD but I really reallly can't be bothered at the moment

oh dear I am overly keen again

PearTart I don't think GBS is routinely tested for. If you have concerns you can do a private test between 35 and 37 weeks. You can find the addresses of the labs on the gbs information site.

GBS is not tested as standard in the UK, although I think it is almost everywhere else. There's more info at www.gbss.org.uk/, it's a normal thing to be positive but in very rare circumstances it can cause serious infections in newborns. So it's a bit of a risk management issue, the NHS thinks that risk is managed fine by the well-baby checks after birth and by testing only high-risk women (I didn't fall into that category). I am a risk-averse worrier so I decided to pay for a private test. Once you do that, if positive, the NHS will treat you as positive.

I was negative with DS1, so I don't think a healthy birth means you're guaranteed another, but the thing to remember is that the chance of infection, even if you are positive, is very small (1/300). And chances are you aren't positive. Obviously I thought it was worthwhile to be tested both times, but I don't want anyone to panic if they weren't!

thanks Aberdeen and Needahand will look it up and mull it over

Peartart were you really in the bath for 2 weeks?! Did you stay there until the baby was born?
Sorry, it's the sunshine doing strange things to my thoughts.

LOL- I might have been if DH hadn't been there to pull me out! {grin]

Essie - you came back within the hour - I am therefore pelting you with almond magnums (you said throw something!). Yummy....actually I waddling over to get them back, what a waste. I just don't look at my thighs, bum, arms, chins anymore.

Last day at work tomorrow - hurrah! Not that today really counts as working....I have done so little.

Peartart - I'm sure you've mentioned the bath thing before (if not someone else did),because although it made me alugh my head off at the time, I now won't have a bath if someone else isn't in the house. Silly I know...

alughing is much like laughing, but not as dignified...

I think I'm alughing too- and it hurts the ladybits!

Thanks for the magnum - wish it was a real one! I know, I said 1 hour but my baby head can only manage 45 mins maximum concentrating. And when I read about peartart's bath experience, I was imagining pregnant lady in the bath, with DH bringing food etc...better than the article I'm working on (a 14th century anomalous legal manuscript - see, I don't lie!).

My legs have become objects of shame as they are covered with really awful varicose veins. But it's my big moon face that freaks me out whenever I catch a glimpse of myself. I feel like a big pink ham!

I'm trying to empty out our attic, or at least make some progress before DH comes home and bilthers about what on earth I've been doing all day . I would so much rather sleep. The boys are being quiet as they were fighting and I have separated them. DD is having a meltdown so better go...

AH; thanks for the sling size advice. The co. finally got back to me and suggested a 2, so might be brave. and in answer to your Q - never in a month of Sundays would I order an XS t shirt! But as these are US sizes, does that count? DQ - I'd thought about ordering both sizes, but p&p is free to UK, but £7 - £10 extra (and that's just for 1, 2 would be more), and then of course I'd have to pay the return postage too, so it'd probably work out as being maybe £20 more, and then it's not worth me getting it. Can't find a stockist in Germany for the one I had my eye on.

Re tea tree oil - I was advised to add this to my bath water (post c-section) and my scar just didn't heal up. Only when I stopped the oil and started adding salt instead did I make any progress? So I personally will be avoiding oils. I hate baths anyway, and haven't had one in over a year (have showered in the mean time, honest).

Sympathies for all those experiencing undercarriage pain. Hope it eases soon. I managed a nap today, as I had another weird panic attack sort of thing, so had to get back up and didn't get to bed till 2, and had to get up early for doc appt. They did a glucoose tolerance test, so fingers crossed that comes back OK.

Can anyone with these weid nesting urges please pop over and visit me for a few days? I've totally run out of steam & my house still needs MAJOR sorting.

A woman I met today asked me what I was going to do with the dss when I go into labour. I said I didn't know as I didn't know anybody. Irrationally hoped she'd offer - but she didn't Fingers crossed I hold out.

upsidedown cake, I'm afraid to say, the afterpains tend to get a lot worse with each child. Brace yourself!

Wotcha. MW has just left after an hour long visit!

It went really well. And she was chuffed when I suggested the student midwife could attend if she wanted . Turns out she is the MW's own student (MW is a supervisor of MWs with 30+ yrs experience). Deffo earned some brownie points there! (Also turns out that student MW used to be a doula - handy)

We talked through all the implications of home birth and discussed assessment of 'failure to progress' as am keen not to be sent to hosp for statistical reasons! She was really really positive and made me feel I'm making the right choice for me, DH and LO.

She did say I'd be asked to come into hospital if there weren't enough MWs on call, and I decided not to have the 'I'm not coming in' discussion again - just as well as she went on to say 'some women refuse to come in' - well, I'll be one of them if it comes to that...

Best of all, the baby's head is starting to engage! Am SO pleased as I thought so, but of course it is hard to know, being a first timer.
She's only 1/5 engaged, but as I thought I was experiencing symptoms of engagement (buzzy pelvis, sharp pains in cervix, cramps) am chuffed I assessed myself correctly.

Feeling v positive. Just need to not go into labour before next Wednesday and HB is on!

In not so great news, the plasterer is coming at 8am tomorrow, which means an evening of lugging furniture out of the living room which I could well do without! Ah well, can't have everything!

Hope you're all well and good luck to the academics - I don't envy you!

Just dropping in to say hello. No major news.

• Wrote the birth plan that has been in my head for a week into my maternity notes.
• Internet shopping arrived on time - changing mat, pram mattress, sheets etc.
• Got my legs waxed and a pedicure - on the day that the weather has gone cold and rainy . In fact I have cold feet for the first time in ages today.
• Fell asleep watching a film on the TV.

All in all a good day. Mat leave has much to recommend it .

-Oh yes, and I took the plunge to get my lady garden seen to next week!!

Greenfairy you're basically getting a doula for free? SOOOOO jealous But it all sounds good on the HB front. Keep those legs together till Wednesday!

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy being an academic, but there are pluses and minuses...pluses being flexibility, and the opportunity to do research at home (or like today, 'research' - yeah right...). Minuses are that the working hours aren't defined, and so could (should - but won't) read an academic article whilst breastfeeding, for example - the nature of the work is kind of suited to sitting around a lot! And there's the pressure to produce, hence giving a lecture a month after due date. Not thinking too much about that one...

Hmmmm! I have been having some contractions and im really irritable...not patricularly sore but they are making me take notice and sit quietly...Have worried DH a bit so much so he rubbed my back....I have now gone and packed a bag just to make sure they stop again....I also had some very sharp and painful pelvic pain walking back from the loo....hopefully now I have posted here it will all go away for another couple of weeks

Do you think Makecakes is underway?

Ernest IKWYM about what to do with the kids....I have had a few offers though for just incase!!

Greenfairy glad your MW appointment went well.

Essie - Look I managed an hour before coming back! (10 mins of work and 50mins looking up hairstyles!)

Greenfairy - Homebirth with midwife and a free doula - result!

Ernest - I agree. House is a mess and I keep saying that I will sort it out when on mat leave (Mon). That seemed so long ago before...And it's got to be done because then I've got to pack up for the move. Any tips? (I'm considering packing up each room and then just hiring a cleaner for a spring clean).

AliP - I'm booked in for a manicure and pedicure tomorrow (which'll stop me cleaning as well...what if I chip a nail?). When I booked the appointment they were predicting the good weather would return at the weekend... Perhaps I'll just get the toenails painted blue to match the colour my feet will be if I wear flip flops.

Basically I'm trying to shine up all the bits I can to distract myself from my thighs, arms, chins, etc! Haircut tomorrow am, manicure and pedicure tomorrow pm, haircolour Tuesday and maybe a bikini wax on Tuesday too. Not sure if I'm brave enough for that though....sorry for TMI but they normally ask you to hold your thigh taut for example. 1. Not sure I have the strength the hold back the blubber and 2. Not sure I could reach even if I could...!!!

Oh Josey how exciting!! you might be next!

Crikey, not much to add but glad I logged on now for an update - I'd have completely lost track if I left it any longer.

Just about to head home and put my feet up. Hospital bag not packed, birth plan not written, house is a midden and washing/ironing piled up everywhere. Oops.

However, I have managed some fake tan in the last couple of days to make me feel a bit better. Arms, shoulders and face only though - cant reach anywhere else .

Josey - bet that post has made your contractions stop

Greenfairy - very of your free doula and homebirth.

I have my consultant appointment next week and I am stupidly getting very wound up about it. She's going to let me know whether I'll be able to use the MLU rather than the main delivery suite. I desperately don't want to use the main delivery suite - I have such bad memories of it and I'm worried I will just tense up when I go through the doors

PP - tips? ha ha. if you saw the state of my house you wouldn't ask me for tips. I guess the best one is write a huge list of what needs doing, then just do it and don't think about it. That's my problem now, the sense of urgency is gone (tho dunno why - need to get it sorted before baby makes an appearance) and I'm thinking too much about it.

As - is it Nike says - just do it. And maybe I'll take my own advice. But I've run out of steam. So another thing - don't stop till you're done or you'll never get started again.

Josey, I can't remember your due date, but that certainly sounds promising.
Although I did have a couple of hours like that a fortnight ago and then it stopped.
Is it similar to how you felt for your first two DCs?

I guess makescakes must be in labour by now. Wonder whether you'll beat her to it?!

Re the "free doula" of course, there's no guarantee at all she'll be available on the day. But it would be wonderful if she is. She's American, with three kids of her own, must be mid to late 30s and was a doula for years apparently. She's been training as a MW for a year. She is extremely pro natural labour and non-intervention, so she's just the woman to have on my side and I liked her immediately. But mustn't get my heart set on it in case she's not free when I go into labour. We will see.

Rolf - good luck with consultant appt. Totally understand why you'd rather use the MLU.

The MLU in our hosp is literally next door to the consultant led unit so they move you if you need intervention.

Couldn't you start in MLU and then transfer if need be? That way at least you start off in an environment you feel happier with - which would probably reduce the chance of you needing intervention in the first place.