Due Sept 08: The one where we pack our bags and write our birth plan.

[mamamufin]

I thought I would be brave

becaroo - I had one drop once about a month ago - nothing since. SILs didn't have more than a couple drops until after birth, so I was trying to relax about that!

Big pregnancy pillow arrived but is not only uncomfortable (full of tiny polystyrene beads so it's hard like a bolster, not squishy) but much shorter than described. I burst into tears in hormonal fashion. Should be able to return it but everything just seems like so much hassle atm. MrNC keeps reminding me that I'm doing a great job growing a baby but I just feel so useless, off my face on codeine, etc.

ohhh, nipple leakage for me has stopped. not even a drop is coming out anymore even if i squeeze. i have started to feel slightly inadequate in the breastfeeding department. but i'm not too phased, i hope the liquid will make a comeback with a vengence once baby comes.

Saw a registrar today, she didn't have any objections to me going to the MLU as I've managed to get a letter from the cardiologist saying things seem OK, but she said the mw still might not want me - so next thing is to ask to see the head of midwives, and talk her round.

She thought my rib pain could be intercostal chondritis - inflammation of the spaces between my ribs, and her top tips were take paracetamol, and avoid positions that bring on pain (err.. sitting!) - wow, so glad I asked for advice on that one!

Someone at the bus stop was talking to dd, and then asked me if I was thinking of having any more children - when I said, yes,in September, she looked me up and down, and told me I wasn't showing. To me it seems obvious, but if I wear loose tops, I apparently still look fat, not pg. But I'm measuring 1cm bigger than dates, so maybe I just have a strangely long body for baby to hide out in without poking outwards.

No nipple cheese for me either, but then I'm still bf. dd seems keener than ever, so feeling a bit anxious about how things will work out. No BH either

Well, the leakage didn't appear to really return yesterday. I had a bit of thicker (sorry!) discharge later in the evening, but it was completely normal for what I've been having recently, and it definitely didn't soak a pad in any way. Have decided not to panic and to wait until my MW appointment tomorrow.

im still counting!!!

9 weeks and 2 days to go!! i sssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooooo want this baby out now!

Notcitrus how depressing about your pillow - it's such a minor thing, but it takes absolutely nothing to make me cry at the moment!

Becaroo I managed to sort out my problem with my colleague by shamelessly asking my boss to get involved! I was totally not feeling up to an argument, and unusually for her she just stepped in and solved everything ? I think she could see I wasn?t coping yesterday.

Hope everyone else is feeling ok!

well this time round i havent had any piles like i did with my DD but ive had abit of the runs now for over a month...need to go to the loo!

Is it possible that the scan didn't see all the limbs that this baby has? I'm sure it has more than 4, I swear I can see and feel at least 6 at any one time!

DH and DS off up to Scotland this morning, I go up this evening after work (it was much cheaper for us to go up separatly). If it was the other way round DH wouldn't think twice about us all day but I keep wondering if they're where they should be. I don't want to look like a neurotic mother and tx every 5 minutes though.

eandz I'm keen for the London meet-up too... but don't worry if you can't accommodate me as am quite busy at the mo. For the next few weekends I'm free on July 12th & 26th, or August 2nd & 10th

Littleconnie, lollyheart, jenbot, and any other londoners: hows july 26th?

im to ffffffffffaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrr away from yous guys.

Im from Liverpool.....anyone??

Aww, poor you Biglips. I'm on the south coast, so also a million miles away from everyone. However, I could do a london meet up after I stop work on 1 Aug...

ok then, everyone intersted in a london meet up, how about august 2nd?

and if anyone wants to just meet me up for coffee in london before or after that (anywhere email me: kishmish at gmail dot com)...since i don't work anymore and do nothing but paint all day these days.

Please help. By show of (virtual) hands what should I do?

As you know, I got made redundant a few weeks ago. Now after what seems like a million phone calls I will get my MA from 29 weeks (backdated as this was last week). I have however managed to get some temp work for 4-6 weeks starting tomorrow. BUT, i will only end up getting and extra £100 or so on top of what MA would be. SO, do I work 40 hrs for £220 ish or stay at home for £117?

I would prefer to stay at home as suffering a bit with SPD and sitting for a long time agrevates this. But feel guilty for not earning extra money while I am able. Suppose im just asking for reasurance that this isn't selfish.

totally off topic but eandz, can i pick your brains? is Abu Dhabi the UAE state you know well?

Mel, your situation sounds complex. no, it doesn't sound selfish. your physical comfort will affect your mental well being. no use going into motherhood all exhausted. If you don't feel like it and don't need the money, then you ought to not feel guilty about resting. I am having spd trouble too.

if this is your first, use your time to prepare by reading up on early motherhood for example. or attending a bfing support group or an nct bumps and babies group.

MelT76 - don't feel bad, you're not alone in needing rest at this point.

I'm only 28 weeks and feeling absolutely shattered. I just had to go and lie on the tiled floor in the shower room at work to sleep for 20 minutes and it's only 11am and I was in bed at 9.30pm slept till 7am!! I'm also beginning to feel nauseous again and frankly I'm only in work because financially it is worth my while. It sounds like for you it won't make a massive difference.

hopefully Well, the offer is still there, baby I may be slightly hormonal at the moment.....

starlight Thats interesting...I really didint feel any pain during delivery of the placenta last time....just a lot of tugging. Might look into the natural third stage thing....

Mel I would stay at home, but then I have been finding this pregnancy physically very tough and 40 hours work per week for an extra £100??? Not worth it IMHO. Stay at home and eat malteesers and look after yourself!

Thanks for the posts re: nipple chesese...starting to think my boobs werent working!

I'd stay at home MelT76 . I know it's always nice having a bit of extra money, but if you can manage then that's what I'd do and I wouldn't feel guilty. Working long hours, suffering with spd etc isn't going to help things as others have said.

notcitrus I know the pillow you mean..and yes, it is rubbish. I have now got the body pillow from mothercare - its just like a normal pillow but REALLY long and lovely and soft...aah!

Item no: G0652 RRP £27.99

I can really sympathise with you feeling useless at the moment...I dont seem to be doing ANYTHING very well at the moment and that includes mummy to my ds

Just be kind to yourself, ok?

stay at home and eat malteesers - I can't wait to do this becaroo! I'm gonna get myself a dvd box set and buy a multi-pack!

mel yesterday I would have said stay at home. Today we looked at our joint account and realised we have £150 left for the rest of the month...if I had the option of earning another £400 for the month I would take it. I already take packed lunches, don't go for afterwork drinks (too knackered anyway) and have stopped buying any more maternity clothes.

becaroo I am without nipple cheese too...sometimes I think I see a grain of something, but I think it's just dry skin.

Had my 29 week check up today with the midwife. Mentioned the BH and cramps, she said an active baby can trigger the BH. And I've got an active baby. Have visions of us running around after hyperactive child (again, again) for years to come!

DH can now hear the baby's heartbeat when he puts his ear to my bump! It's so lovely that he's getting some of his own experiences with the baby.

Said the most embarrassing thing at NCT class last night. The teacher was telling us that the cut for a c-section is about 15cm in length, and one of the H's said "but that can't be right, surely that's not big enough". Without thinking I immediately responded in very indignant voice "What? And you think this is!!" while pointing to my girly bits...! I was SOOO embarrassed and everyone just collpased in hysterics. My face was bright red for some time. But DH assured me on the way home that it was the perfect response to such a silly observation. He said the other women clearly appreciated me putting the, er, challenge into perspective for him!