Due in June - Creme eggs are long gone and our own eggs have started to hatch. Who will be next?

[Upsidedowncake]

We are two down and have another 30-40 to go. Makecakes and Gemma have probably popped by now, then G43! It's all happening!!!!!

BTW - great thread AliPalli - someone on it said:
"The only light at the end of the tunnel is that many of the aches and pains, tiny bladder, breathlessness, back ache etc etc will disappear INSTANTLY when the baby finally arrives. OK, to be replaced by sore boobs and knackeredness, but I remember many things improved massively just hours after DD arrived."

Can someone who already has LO's, please confirm that is true. It would make me so much happier if it is.

PP, I would be wary of trusting the bra measuring people in M and S, I've found them to be wildly inaccurate compared to elsewhere before.(they once measured me as a 36C when I was a 30G - the 30G fitted perfectly, the 36C was ridiculous - I'm not joking!)

Your gynaecologist sounds like a pillock, telling someone to sort out worrying results themselves is NOT standard policy, if you are able to provide all the documentation it's helpful, but otherwise we usually end up contacting whoever did the private work and asking them to send copies, it's a bit of a pain, but not the patient's problem. I hate doctors who give the rest of us a bad name! your GP sounds much more useful!

Happy Birthday Mellymell

PP that consultant sounds like a nightmare, so much for bedside manner. Good that the GP's surgery is compensating for it though.

Laura LOL at the idea of left handed dr struggling in a right handed NHS. Please can you re-assure me though that you aren't a brain surgeon, or something else that is very fiddly?

Pleased that some of you got solace from the "I hate being pregnant thread". As most of the posters on there were 30 - 35 weeks pg, I decided not to post as thought they wouldn't appreciate someone going "I'm 39 wks and so fed up".

Re: nursing bras. I bought some via the NCT last week. I am wearing them now as I had outgrown the maternity ones . I got 2 initially plus a sleeping one (so that I don't leak all over the bed). I thought I could buy more later on once my size has calmed down a bit and I have worked out what suits me, and if I am still BF. Not tried any other types, so can't really say whether mothercare is better than M&S. The best advice is just to try lots of different types on and see what suits you. The 2 bras I bought are in different cup sizes because they are different brands and so cut differently.

The sun has finally come out , so comtemplating walking into town. The only problem at this stage is that I have run out of things that I am interested in buying either for a pg me, a non pg me, LO, or the house. Maybe I could settle for a coffee and slice of cake somewhere?

PP I too am measuring 127 cms!! We'd make great bookends wouldn't we?

PP, your gynae sounds a nighhtmare. Which hospital was it? (so I can avoid it!) I had colonoscopies and so forth a few years ago at C&W and after DS was born, they were able to sign me off at the 8 week check as well. I have a lovely GP too.

Needahand, agree with whoever else made the point about other generations spending weeks in bed! How selfish!

Alipalli, I enjoyed that other thread!

Re lefties and south = right, just looked in my Penguin book of superstitions , people used to talk about 'sunwise' (to the right) instead of 'clockwise'.

B**ger. It's just started raining and I'm off to get my haircut.

Then I'm properly on mat leave and can start doing hospital bag / nesting / properly sitting around on my arse.

x

Thanks Laura.

I thought I would try measuring myself at home as well, I've just dome it using this guide and I'm a 46DD as opposed to M&S's 40B....Think I'll try John Lewis's and Mothercare's bra fitting services next week as well and try and find an average....

Consultant wasn't the original person that the appointment was meant to be with (it transpired a lot later), but yep, she was not great. However have faith that my GP and her colleagues give health professionals a very good name!

Ali - I know what you mean about shopping.
Is it worth buying anymore mat clothes? And is buying non mat clothes overly optimistic about quick weight loss!? Same for shoes. And DH may explode if I buy anymore baby clothes...

Deb - Love the idea of us being bookends and then all the books falling down as one of us hatches...think that'll be you first tho!

Needahand - I love the idea of 2 weeks in bed too!

Upsidedown - It was a hosp in South London that shares it's name with England's saint. We had the option of C&W, but I thought I should be sensible and go for the one nearest to home. DH wanted C&W because then the LO's birth cert would be more impressive!
I went to the Portland for my smears/biopsies/colonoscopies, etc and they were brilliant. But the clinic I went to was far far away from the celebs...and unfortunately my private healthcare doesn't cover "celeb style births" .

As a right hander born in October - am I on the wrong thread?

Finally had a reasonably sunny day here today so took the kids to the local childrens farm. We then spent half and hour queuing to get in and after 40 minutes had to leave as I was breathless and finding it difficult to walk around. Bit of a let down all round really. Why is the last bit of pregnancy so crappy? I feel really sorry for the kids and just so cheesed off. Tell me this will all be over soon...

don't worry alipalli I'm not a brain surgeon, although was a general surgeon for 3 years... mind you one of the Profs of surgery in Glasgow is a leftie and it is therefore not an excuse for ANYTHING here. can write with both hands after my surgical training!

PP best place I've found for measuring of the buxom lady is bravissimo. I'm going to go there next week. even if I buy somewhere cheaper I tend to go and get measured there as they seem to know what they're talking about and go on how bra fits you instead of tape measurements?

PearTart you are completely right about parents staying in hospital ages thoses days..

Laura was Inidana Jones any good. Some reviews were crap but I am tempted to go and watch it at the weekend. Will also sneak to the movies sometimes during the day next week to see Sex and the City.

PP completely shocked at your treatment in hospital. Don't people have any decency these days. What is with patient/people bashing the whole time. Of course if you can afford it you would go private rather than waiting six month ridden by angst! Re bras I used mothercare's one first time round (only cause they were decent looking and couldn't be bothered to look elsewhere). I think with 4 days bras your probably will be ok as you will note an increase in the turnover in terms of washing once LO is born (sometimes they PJ only last 10 second because they poo on them the minute you put them on). You might also need a couple of night bra to keep everything in place including breast pads. I used the Emma Janes from boots for that (because DH was sent on a mission to find some)

PP I also confirm a lot of the symptoms disappear after LO are born. I was actually cheered by physio yesterday as she said my SPD problem should resolve itself pretty much instantly once DS is born. But the problem is knacheredness, soreness (especially stitches and piles if you are unlucky) but you don't notice all that so much because you are in a daze and completely in love with baby. And there are the never ending cuddles which are the best thing ever..

Oh and I am a righthander born in December so if we are on the wrong thread, we can always migrate together

Weather is crap here, so much so that I am contemplating returning the cropped trousers and T shirt I bought in H&M two weeks ago as I have not worn them yet and there is only three weeks left, so what is the point?

PP just read your bit about nursing bras - I've just had a strange experience in Mothercare and I posted about it on the breastfeeding board. Mothercare seem a bit dodgy... Also, we must be due the same day because I'm 38 weeks today too.

Just measured my bump - everyone (except my aunt who said I was hugely fat) says I'm carrying small and I must be - 96cm, not even a metre yet!

Having a panic. I've got waves of pain in my lower back, and strange twinges in my fanjo. Mum says I'm in the early stages of labour. Anyone?

Got to write a job application right now - just in case!

pp, I had ds1 in C&W and it was shit. Really. The post natal care was so bad, I discharged myself 1.5 days after emergency section, but obviously in this time, I'd been shouted at for not being sprightly enough, not given pain killers, cos they didn't want to disturb me when I was asleep so in total agony, had my shoes nicked, and best of all, our camera, so lost all our pictures of our pfb 1st hours. Oh, and no one changed ds1 nappy (born 7.30 pm) till dh came in next morning at 10 and he was so dirty with dried on meconium it was a nightmare trying to clean him up. So C & W don't hold too many fond memories for me. Did see Nick Cave outside the hospital once tho. Does that make up for it? No one has yet told me they're impressed at the hospital on his birth certificate either

It is unbearably hot here. AM hiding indoors. Again.

Needahand - retrun your unworn maternity stuff!! Get something that you can be sure to wear after the birth

Wish we had shit weather here. I'd prefer cool & rain to scorchio.

pp forgot to say, don't worry about baby not being engaged. It's not the law. My waters didn't break for 2 of the 3 births, so not everything has to be text book, but it'll still come out.

So I went to the baby shop - and bought a bf bra, and that's all. Feel guilty I didn't get anything for baby.

Thanks for the nappy bag link GF. Am feeling tight tho - p&P is £4-50, or £10 if I get it sent here. That's so much, considering they must weigh nowt. Am still toying with the idea of sewing on or using old pillow case. What do people think. Or should I just stop being tight ?

essie3 - it could be early labour or more likely the false labour most of us are experiencing. I dont' know if that's what you want to hear or not...

righthander born in December here....

SA and Sophie - We have had the shopping delivered a few times when they have sent me vouchers to use online that covered the cost of the delivery (and I thought it was great!) but as we live 5 mins from Tesco seems silly not to drive there. May be changing my mind after struggling to lift all the heavy bags in yesterday!

Alipalli - What a pain about your oven, the customer service sounds good though. How funny about your parents oven cleaning habits, I hardly ever do ours, just wipe it out when it looks mucky, but then I am a slob! I have moments when I forget I'm pregnant, have got used to this big bump now I think.

DQ - I think you need more than dried almonds in your labour bag, I was thinking along the lines of mars bars and probably flapjack (maybe chocolate coated!). My DH started panicing about drinking this weekend (after polishing off a bottle of wine on his own) so is going to cut down to just one glass supposedly!

Lorettah - what a rubbish tiler! Fancy not mentioning that he was going away before he started. Glad you have managed to find someone to finish it.

Ernest - I got two of those mesh bag things from ebay for a fiver, if they will deliver to you, came quickly as well.

Mellymell - Happy birthday and I hope the excitement of Indiana doesn't bring on the baby!

Whinegums - Hope the tooth extraction went well.

Neenz - sounds like things are going well.

Pregnant Penguin - that woman sounds horrible! Was it supposed to be for a 6 month check up? I had similar a few years ago and they wanted to see me again after 6 months to check everything had healed and that the dodgy cells hadn't come back.
It's funny because I had to go to a colposcopy clinic in March after some bleeding and they were the nicest people I had come across in a hospital recently. Took ages to explain everything, were really comforting and got me some lucozade and biscuits when I nearly fainted and made DH a cup of coffee much to the upset of everyone else in the waiting room. Plus my GP surgery has the most horrible receptionist!

I've been an idiot today, spent 3 hours with no electricity (so no MN!) thinking it was a power cut only to discover that I must have tripped the circuits when toasting some pitta bread! Did get chance for a nap and to read my book though.
Made the carrot cake cupcakes today Alipalli and they are lovely, the icing is just right too (which I think is very important with carrot cake). Also baked a couple of loaves of bread so not a completely wasted day, still feeling like a bit of a moron though!

Will shut up now as this has turned into a really long post.

Forgot to say I saw some nursing bras in Tesco yesterday for a fiver. No idea what they are like quality wise but could be handy as some spares.

Failed to get into town as my friend (the one with the coffee morning circuit cake nutters called), and by the time we had stopped talking the sun had gone in and it had started to rain - AGAIN. I reassured her that you all think making chocolate cake is not a sign of bad mothering skills.

Fell asleep on sofa watching French Open. Woken up by parents ringing to discover that I had missed a set and a half . Lorettah I think that wanting to eat biscuits on the sofa is a completely reasonable activity at this stage, and doing major household renovations is unnatural. Go with what you instincts tell you to do. (She said trying to appease her own sense of sloth). Anyway, my mother has been on a freezer cooking frenzy on my behalf without asking me. That is great, but because I have already been making freezer meals the freezer is virtually full. Doh. Where will I keep the pies?? I also have MIL threatening to being food down from the North East too. Arghh!

Essie I don't know what labour is like as I've not been in it before. BUT I have been having occasional twinges in my back and pains in my fanjo for about 4 weeks now, but they have not been regular, just fleeting. The pains in the fanjo are q strange, it is a bit like there is a sharp knife in there that occasionally moves and causes intense but v brief pain. I thought I was a complete freak having this symptom, but a RL friend said that she had the same thing for a whole morning a few days ago! MW seemed to think that it was just the head engaging and moving down. Hope that it is the real thing for you though.

ktpie whoops, x-post. Congratulations on the cupcakes. The icing is pretty good, I had some spare and gave myself a bit of a sugar high licking out the bowl.

My parents only started cleaning their oven out after every use when they ran a ski chalet for a few winters once they had taken early retirement. I think it must have been the company's H&S policy. Before that I can distinctly remember my Mum making a big deal of cleaning the oven during her school holidays once or twice a year.

Alipalli - I could have had some icing spare but I went back and piled more on them all! Can't have too much icing!
I'm feeling guilty now about never cleaning my oven, only had it for about a year and I do wipe it out occasionally but it never looks like it needs it. I remember when we moved into this house they had left us an oven and I cleaned it out the first day. Had a couple of inches of grease on the bottom of it, had to use a wallpaper scraper thing to get it out, it was absolutely disgusting. Mine never gets anything like that bad!

Ernest, quite happy to pick one up for you and send to you/mother.

ktpie our old oven was like that when we moved in. Utterly grim. If I were you I would ignore your oven on the grounds that oven cleaner is bad for pg ladies. Save it for another day.

needahand freecycle is a lifesaver. Brilliant for getting rid of stuff that charity shops won't take (eg microwave, old mobiles) and bonus is people come to you. FAB.

neenz glad you are getting on better with BF

pp glad to hear LO not breech - that consultant sounds like a cow. Did they scan you or just palpate to check for breech?

allipalli my MW told me the knife pain is the head (or in my case bum) banging on the cervix. It is a real stabbing pain and I think v common when LO is engaging. Does take my breath away sometimes...

ernest I did look at the european postage and think 'ouch'. Try ebay? I got mine from there. Got lots of other stuff from that website in one go which made the postage ok, but I agree for a one off it's pricey.

lunch with friend was lovely and got the moses basket now . deffo going to see satc tomorrow - need to keep my mind occupied

MIL, SIL, FIL and niece all coming here on Sunday and DH only just told me . Will be the third time have seen them in a week - once a fortnight is the rule so NOT impressed but think would be churlish to cancel. But got knitting circle with MIL next Sat as well so may end up putting foot down. DH's family are mostly lovely but v intense - can only take them in small doses, hence the fortnight rule. Ho hum.

Re oven cleaning, I rarely do mine. Also have a 'never wash the car' policy. It rains so much in Bristol I don't need to

allipalli the fanjo thing is exactly as you described! So strange - and kind of hard to explain to my male obstetrician...! Typical me, I hadn't considered the false labour option at all. Always the most extreme (my name should be dramaqueen but it's taken!): one twinge and I'm DEFINITELY IN LABOUR! Partly wishful thinking, of course, as there's nothing to suggest I'll be holding a baby by the end of the week! Mind you, obstetrician did say that this baby won't be very late, he said 'you're not looking at July'. Dead right, I'm due 12th June!

ktpie Tesco nursing bras! This could be the answer. Midwife told me not to buy any for the hospital because they're expensive and my shape/size will change. True, but what exactly am I going to wear and when do I get the time to go and fetch them? So, I got a pack of 2 from Mothercare, but I'm not convinced - they fit me now, so surely...? - but I could just get the Tesco ones, almost as disposables until I know my size. DH has promised to buy me sexy ones when I know my size. He's keen on that area!