First time mums expecting Spring babies

[FlirtyThirty]

Hello!

I'm expecting my first baby on 24 April. I'm currently only 4+4 but have NO symptoms at all! Have just retested as I'm convinced I've imagined it!

Went to Dr yesterday to share the news and have to wait for hospital 'choose & book' paperwork so that I can arrange first scan for around 10 October.

There seems to be so many decisions to make all of a sudden...

Anyway...just wondered how you other first timers were finding things...or your other halves for that matter. Mine is still in total shock in spite of this being a planned baby!

Flirty x

Morning Springmums

Thought I'd scared you all off! Bicnod My due date is the 11th April, being 31 weeks has freaked me out a bit as now I'm into single figures or really petrified emoticon would be more appropriate.

pinkadink Exciting that pram ordered, glad I'm not the only one who is just getting sorted. My iron was low too and they've put me on iron tablets, I'm not sure if they'll retest at my next appt as mw did say the last bloods were the last. Anyone know? I don't think the health in pg grant will come until after april 6th - I might be wrong though as it's a couple of weeks since I looked at the website. You due date must be really close to mine, when do you start maternity leave? Oh and snow with no day off is just rubbish!

littleduck It's funny you should say that about the mobile I switched one on in Mamas & Papas the other day and felt quite emotional. Perhaps you should play it loads before baby comes so that you are so sick of it you are not weeping over the cot all the time! Sounds like you LO is in a similar position to mine although it may have moved since my last appt but my bump is lopsided too - I think the head is over to the right and the wiggling is a shoulder or elbow maybe? - Who the hell knows!

hello spring-mums-to-be and bumps!

Things are going well here - although I am starting to feel tired very quickly now. I am only 29 weeks but guess this is the start of the third trimester!

I am counting down until maternity leave (7 weeks, 2 days and 5.5 hours ) - I had a chat with my boss this morning about cover while I am away, which makes it feel very close and very real! (and very scary that they haven't actually considered who will cover for me while I am away, but that is not my problem!!)

We did a big IKEA shop on the weekend and now have some furniture building to do in the nursery...we also were very kindly given a travel system and car seat from friends - so I am feeling very organised. Is anyone else getting quite nervous at how quickly it is all coming together?

teehee and littleduck my baby is currently in a similair position to yours I think, with the head over to one side. If I sit back, it tends to sprawl across my stomach - which is very amusing. I can feel the little feet over the side of my ribs!

Good point about the mobile!! I should really listen to mine to avoid any tearful moments after little-brightside arrives! There again...at the moment, it doesn't take much to reduce me to tears these days!!

I hope everyone is having a good week,

Hello all... I'm currently holed up on the sofa with a stinking cold couldn't face going to work today as can't breathe through my nose and couldn't sleep last night at all... ordinarily it would be great to have a day off but we've got plasterers in so have been trapped in the bedroom/lounge all day and bit scared of stepping outside to go to the loo/visit the kitchen etc...

Moan moan moan - sorry... am doubly peed off as supposed to be going to first NCT class tonight and not going to be able to go as feel so rubbish. On the up side, DH is a star and has said he'll go on his own and tell me all about it when he gets back... I am VERY impressed

28 week appointment was good but midwife didn't really tell me anything about how the baby was lying (apart from head down, which is good) - it was all very fast... and they didn't have any forms for the health in pregnancy grant either which is a bit annoying...

sorry, I really am a moany old trout today - will shut up now.

Ladies...I haven't been on for ages! I'm sorry to have abandoned you all! Really hope you're all doing ok - don't even have time to read through all the posst just now. Building work is going crazy in our house so I'm totally manic doing bits here and rarely near the PC any more. Will be lovely when done but a bit frantic and VERY dirty just now!
Bump and I are doing well...definitely getting bigger...and heartburn has kicked in! Boo hoo... Otherwise I'm enjoying being pregnant and having a lot of energy - long may it continue. The Gods are obviously smiling on me after a miserable 1st trimester of morning sickness!!

Now...in case I don't get on before the weekend...have a fab VAlentine's DAy! Pamper your gentlemen - it's your last one alone! (And i'm not normally into V. DAy!)

Flirty x

Hey Flirty - so glad you're ok, I've been worrying about your lack of posting!

Our house is like a building site at the moment too... but nearly there. When is yours due to be finished?

Glad 3rd trimester is treating you well

Hey all,

Things here better,

Shoulder seems fine now, bit stiff sometimes.Had some time off work which I think helpeD.

I just have to finish work on the 8th march, uni the 27th march and....well, wait for this baba bump to arrive.. I cant believe its really happening

Thanks for all the support messages while I felt rubbish.

Is anyone else's bump trying to kick there way out?

Hey Bicnod - so sweet of you to worry about me! Thanks!

I'm hoping we can finish the work by mid-MArch (or at least all the messy/dusty major construction stuff!). Thankfully, I've not really been too hormonal during pregnancy or I think I'd have caved in long before now. If anything, I seem less bothered by the chaos than I might ordinarily be. (Though I did burst into tears when the plumber told me he couldn't lay his pipes as I didn't have any radiator valves! Poor boy almost died! I have no idea what came over me...)

Have started to buy some baby stuff now, which I'm loving! I have a small (but growing) stash in a box in my wardrobe. Nothing big bought yet - some blankets, monitor, sling, bibs, and a couple of white sleepsuits and vests. Have decided on pram and crib, but will not get those til MArch sometime (don't want them in the building dust!), and will look at cots in MArch/April - figure we don't need this immediately anyway.

On names...I am struggling. I think I started looking into names too early and have now run out of steam, arguably when I should just be getting into it! I have some shortlists, but nothing that jumps out at me...and worse still, a DH who thinks that we should give it a week or so once baby's born to decide on something suitable. I understand his thinking but just can't get my head round not being able to introduce baby with a name once it's here. Still, given that I can't even think of a name I like...perhaps his way is better anyway!?

Hope the rest of you are feeling well and getting excited! I'm strating to believe that it's all really happening now...

Flirty x

Oh, meant to say, I'm in for the Kingston Girls March meet up!

Hey girlylala - so glad your shoulder is feeling better...

So that's brightside, littleduck, flirty and me for the kingston meet up Anyone else able to come along? Shall we make it sat 14 or sun 15 march? I can make either date... can't wait to compare bumps.

Flirty - so there's light at the end of the tunnel for the building stuff, that's good news. I'm very impressed by your relaxed approach to dust/stress/builders invading your home... hopefully this means you'll also have a relaxed approach to the trials and tribulations of new motherhood

My stinking cold is slightly less stinking today thank goodness...

baby currently has his/her foot stuck under my rib which is a bit ow ow owwwwww whenever i try to bend forward... little tike gets hiccups all the time as well and tries to kick his/her way out of my tummy every night. i think we're going to get a lively one...

Right. Off to eat pizza

x x

Hi everyone

Flirty good to see you back and hear you are OK. You have my sympathy with building as back end of my flat is currently being remodelled - in my case it seems to help that DP is doing the work (rather usefully he runs his own business as a general builder and qualified electrician!). It also helps that we not living on site whilst the work is being done! I am on maternity leave from 27 March so DP has been politely asked to have it all finished by then lol!

Girlylala glad to hear your shoulder is feeling better, long may it continue so!

Bicnod pleased you are feeling better today, how did your husband get on at the antenatal class, do let us know!

Kingston meetup 15th March would be better for me as I have lunchtime/early afternoon appointment in Fulham on 14th but if 15th not convenient for everyone else then let me know and I will try to reschedule.

Microduck has been a bit quieter today than in recent days when he or she has been Disco Baby, especially late at night and early in the morning. I can't tell if he or she ever has hiccups. Seems just to be wriggling and turning about this evening.

I am going to look at a nursery tomorrow afternoon with DP. We like the sound of it as their baby room has a max of 6 babies up to 14 months and they have 3 staff in that room so the babies get a lot of individual attention and cuddles. Has a good reputation locally according to my London Mum, she went along there a few times with a friend of hers to collect friend's granddaughter and said it seemed very nice. We will see!!!

Take care everyone

Ld xxx

Hello

Sorry to intrude but I wonder if I might draw your attention to this
Thanks very much.

Hi All

Littleduck the service from Kiddicare was fab. They delivered very quickly and you only have to spend £50 to qualify for free delivery. They send you an email and text message when the items are on their way and if the day they're going to deliver isn't convenient you can reply to the text and change it. The parcel tracking facility was really good and the price match policy is a great bonus. Would definitely use them again.
On the other hand still waiting to hear from Mamas and Papas about delivery of the nursery furniture which was ordered on the 28th Jan. They charge a whopping £35 for delivery and promise to deliver within 14 working days max, so will have to get a move on if they're going to do that. They're meant to phone to arrange a convenient day for delivery so to have not heard anything by now isn't great service. It's not even that we need the furniture immediately it just annoys me when companies don't communicate to let you know what's happening, especially when they debit your account the moment you order rather than waiting until they've dispatched your goods.
The nursery you were going to look at sounds great with a very good staff ratio. How did you get on? Hope it lived up to your expectations.

Teehee my due date is the 16th April so very close to you . I finish work on the 13th March and can't wait as I work quite long days and it's starting to tire me out now. I also get emotional at baby stuff. Had to send DH to cash desk to buy our first baby clothes purchase (a sweet little cream Winnie the Pooh jacket) as felt a bit choked up and was worried I'd cry if I went .

Bicnod sorry you've been feeling rubbish. Hope you're feeling better now. How did your DH get on at the NCT class? What a star going on his own . My midwife had only just got the HIP grant forms in at my last visit so hopefully yours will have them the next time you go.

Brightside how's the furniture building going? My work also doesn't have cover organised yet for when I finish up but I'm of the same opinion of you that it's not my problem, so no point worrying about it.

Flirty great to hear from you and pleased you have lots of energy at the moment. Lol at the plumber incident . We're also still struggling a bit on the name front. Think we have decided on first names but they could still change and we're having trouble with middle names, which I really want to have.

Girlylala glad your shoulder is improving. My bump has some very active bursts when I think it's trying to escape but have firmly told it it has to stay in there for another few weeks. Into the single figure countdown of weeks now which is a bit scary but also very exciting.

Is anyone else thinking about getting a nursing chair? I wasn't going to but have heard from alot of people that they're a great purchase for both late pregnancy and feeding once the baby's here.

Hope everyone else is well and having a lovely Valentine's day .

Hello all

Just returned from antenatal morning, which has, ahem, concentrated my mind. Did everyone else know you aren't supposed to sleep on your back? I didn't! Or that having an epidural makes a forceps delivery and episiotomy much more likely? Ow.

My last day at work is two weeks before the due date -- my job is pretty sedentary - but am beginning to wonder if that's rather late ... I just couldn't bear the idea of sitting around for more than a month fretting and waiting. Still, apparently in France term is at 41 weeks!

pinkadink - I 've heard that having a comfortable chair near the cot is really helpful, because you can feed at night without waking you or the baby up too much. A colleague whose wife gave birth in Nov in America highly recommends a cushion called My Brest Friend (www.mybrestfriend.com/). It doesn't seem to be stocked widely here except at
www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk/details2.asp/ProductID/252/sid/25/my-brest-friend-breastfee ding-pillow.htm

I am getting very hungry and thirsty. Dreamt about cakes last night in some detail.

Hey,

Pinkadink, I was going to get a chair but then I saw something ive always wanted, a proper old fashioned rocking chair! It may be impractical but it looks soooooo pretty in the babies part of the room!!! Also I just noticed your in Edinburgh to, are you going to the infirmary to have the baby?

Started ante natal class, its all very nice so far!

3 weeks left at work and 6 weeks left at uni...im getting excited now!!

Hello gang.

Oh god guys... one week and 6 days left. Am I shitting bricks? Yes I most certainly am. Too knackered right now to elaborate but so much has gone on since I last posted. Am now single, up in Lancashire staying with my partner's (or rather ex-partner's) parents and him in state of extreme awkwardness. I really could have done without epic dramas in the final few weeks of pregnancy but it seems it was not to be. Lost my plug the day of the epic snowfall a few weeks back (was it the 9th? I've lost track) and half-expected to pop within 48 hours after that but she has clung on. And despite absence of plug I'm now anticipating her to go overdue. Although I hope I'm wrong!

Bump is still pretty small and no stretchmarks (my luck in life dictates an enormous one almost undoubtedly WILL appear the day before I pop) and no piles. Really the bump is the only sign of pregnancy bar the odd kick (she was kicking ceaselessly from about 17 weeks but seems to have quietened down of late, must have run short on space). Still haven't quite got my head around the prospect of an infant.

Hope everybody else and their burgeoning offspring are well! Sorry for lack of quotes/responses to individual posts but am wiped out. God knows what I'm doing up at this time, will try and have another gander in the morning.

Hello spring mums - 30 weeks today, eek! So I'm officially counting down in single fingers (9 weeks and 6 days til due date - double eek!)

Feel like we're SLOWLY getting prepared for mini-bicnod's arrival. Bit gutted that I missed our first NCT class as was ill last week - DH didn't go in the end, although he would have done if I'd insisted bless him, he cooked me dinner and made me hot honey and lemon instead apparently it was really just an ice-breaker session so didn't miss anything vital...

Littleduck, Brightside and Flirty - let's make it sunday 15 March for the Kingston meet up then - anyone got any suggestions of venues? And what time is good for everyone? Maybe 2pm for tea and cake?

elpis I think I am going to give birth to a cake. Seriously, I have no self-control - there have been loads of cakes at work the last few weeks and I'm eating the lot. Need to STOP or I'm going to be the size of a small whale...

Lolianja - I'm so sorry for everything that's going on with you at the moment Are you ok? (stupid question, of course you're not) What happened? Feel free to tell me to bugger off if you don't want to talk about it, but if there's anything I can do to help please let me know... sending massive hugs.

Love to all the rest of you spring mums x x

sorry, meant single figures, not single fingers, baby brain!

Hi Springmums

Like Bicnod 30 weeks today - eek! First NCT class this Thurs evening, seems eons ago that I booked it up and thought 'February - ages away!', yet it's come round at the speed of light!

Kingston girls - anytime on 15th good for me, always up for tea and nice piece of cake!

Pinkadink - glad Kiddicare are good, useful to know. Nursery seemed nice, small and staff seemed very attentive to the children. Bit more of a walk from the station than I had thought but liked it overall. Need to book visits to a couple more places we're interested in asap and then think about deciding.

Lolianja - I'm so sorry to hear your news, I really don't know what to say and can only guess at how you must be feeling - here if you want to vent or need a friendly shoulder. Take care of yourself and big hugs.

Microduck has just given me a kick right in the tummy button. Little darling........

Take care everyone

Littleduck xx

Hello all,

lolianja sorry to hear your news and hoping you are coping with everything that is going on.

littleduck another vote for Kiddicare here - I ordered some bits and pieces yesterday at 11am and they were delivered this morning. Very good!

kingston ladies I am on for March 15th - 2pm works well for me but I am not sure where to suggest to meet?

bicnod I hope you continue to make a good recovery and it is a pity that you missed your NCT but good that it was just an ice-breaker. Sounds like your hubby took great care of you!

girlylala your rocking chair sounds lovely and (you are right) so perfect for a nursery. I have been given a Glider Chair for my birthday - it is still packed away in the nursery and I am not allowed to unpack it until my birthday next month! I can't wait (although I have already unpacked the foot rest for use in the menatime.)

pinkadink the funriture building went well but (as always happens) we have realised we need to go back to Ikea to get one more thing this weekend and despite spending hours in the spare room (NURSERY! I need to get use tdo calling it that)the room sseems to end up looking messier than when we started. I reallly hope your M&P order gets delivered soon, it will be one less thing sorted out.

Is anyone else looking into childcare yet? I am only planning to go back to work sometime betweeen next year February to May but the nursery I like the look of has a waiting list until August next year! Guess I better get a move on. It does feel weird to be sorting out childcare for a baby that hasn't arrived yet (And I feel like a bad mother for working out who else can take care of my child, before I even have the child!

Hope everyone else is doing well and a big wave [frantic-wave-emoticon] to anyone I missed!

and apologies for my bad typing! I am sneaking online at work and the window is minimised so I can barely see one line

Hi all

Brightside - I am only just starting to look at nurseries now for November, the one I looked at could accommodate me at the moment if I decide to go for it but I want to look at another couple of local nurseries before choosing. I am looking in Wandsworth/Clapham so if you know of any recommendations in the area let me know! Would like to get a glider chair, am keeping an eye on Ebay to see if I can get a nice one second hand.

Microduck has been kicking me in the right hand side ribs and has also had what feels like his/her foot stuck there for most of the day. I am feeling kicks towards the front today so wondering if Micro is back to back now. Eek.

Hope everyone is well, Lolianja thinking of you particularly, let us know how you are.

Littleduck xx

Hi guys, thanks for thinking of me. Means a lot. I'm OK really, since I'm up in Lancashire staying with boyfriend (or rather ex-boyfriend) and his parents since am giving birth up here, we're having to be practical rather than emotive. Our relationship I think just came to a natural end. He's a very difficult and emotionally damaged man and I just can't deal with him anymore. I feel tremendous guilt for that despite the fact effectively I terminated the relationship at his own implication (he goes on and on daily that I'm too good for him and how him getting my pregnant has ruined my plans to go to university, and why am I with him and not somebody my own age etc etc, he has worn me down completely and utterly). There's a lot to it but I think in honesty we had to finish things while I still had a modicum of respect for him left. Whilst I could never be his partner long term he is still fantastic with kids and will be a wonderful father. Despite everything he is absolutely living for the day that his baby is born. It's easy to only see the sh*tty side of things but I do have a lot to be thankful for. The fact that his own family and myself/my folks are on very good terms is making things considerably easier. Thanks again guys, sorry to ramble on.

I really can't get my head around the fact that I'll have a baby in less than a fortnight (provided I don't go overdue). My bump's still small and compact really (my ribs are really feeling the pressure though). I haven't got to the big, puffy, exhausted stage yet. Far from it! It's just scary. Been feeling really iffy the past 48 hours or so and wondering if this might be it! I bloody well hope not - we're still rushing about buying last minute supplies!

@Brightside - know the feeling. Have already been planning who will be the easiest to palm off bambino onto when I want to do this and that. Feel horrid about it!

@Bicnod - thanks for thinking of me. I'm OK. And no need to bugger off, far from it! Always happy to spill. Far too happy I suspect. Will end up embarrassing myself one of these days, or at least would do if I had any shame.

A question (before my fingers drop off) - does anybody know the position on fancy schmancy bath oils, bubble baths etc when the mucous plug is history? Am assuming all is OK and feel somewhat daft for asking but thought I'd ask anyway.

Hi All

Hope you are all well. Three weeks and one day 'til I start maternity leave and counting. Am really going to try to enjoy the time off before baby arrives without getting too impatient, so if I'm on here moaning I'm bored after a few days you all have to tell me off .

Elpis I did know about the sleeping on your back thing but I think it is only a problem for a few people, so if you've been lying on your back and feeling fine then I don't think you have anything to worry about. I also found out people who have an epidural are more likely to need forceps. You have to wonder though whether it's because of the epidural or whether they were given an epidural because they were having other problems that would make forceps more likely anyway. Probably a combination of both. I'm going to try to avoid one if I can but am keeping open minded at the same time.

Girlylala your rocking chair sounds lovely. I actually live in West Lothian (though I work in Edinburgh), so I'm planning on having my baby at St John's. Are you going to the Royal? I've also started NHS ante natal classes. The midwife who's taking them isn't great but it's really good to meet other mums to be. I'm also on the list for an intensive NCT antenatal course but am trying to weigh up whether it'll be worth the money. I think it would be good for DH to go to but am worried I'll just be learning thigs I've already found out about from books, mumsnet and at NHS classes. What do you all think? Should we go or save the money?

Lolianja really sorry to hear your news but it sounds like you're keeping positive and dealing with it really well. Feel free to ramble as much as you like if it helps. Really looking forward to hearing about your new arrival as it doesn't sound like you have too long left. I totally understand how you're feeling about it all being a bit surreal that we will soon be mums. You can let us know if it all feels more real once you hold your baby in your arms .

Bicnod I've been eating a lot of chocolate and butterkist popcorn lately - mmmmm. I know I should have a some fruit when I fancy a snack but the less healthy foods just seem to be calling out to me and I have a lot less self control than usual.

Littleduck good luck at your NCT class tonight. Let us know how it goes. Glad you liked the nursery. My baby also likes to kick me on my right hand side. It seems to have big stretches where what I think is its bum sticks out to the left of my tummy button and its feet stick out under my ribs to the right. I really like to see it wriggling around but it can be a bit uncomfortable at times.

Brightside glad the furniture building went well. Surprise surprise we are still waiting for ours but we have a date for delivery now. Haven't started looking at childcare yet but sounds like I should maybe start thinking about it soon .

Hi to everyone else .

Hi guys - long time I haven't posted for I know! I have found work really exhausting while being pregnant and just couldn't keep up with 2 threads on MN! I have still chatted to daisyj occasionally on the Bonkers thread so hopefully you all knew I was still alive!

I go on maternity leave a week today! I totally can't believe I have only 5 weeks left til EDD. I'm convinced it's going to come early too! I will endeavour to keep posting now I will have a bit more time and energy!

Nobody has had their baby yet have they???

CE xx

morning all. hope everyone is well. all is good here. finish work on friday so v v excited. quite strong nesting urges have kicked in - this includes washing all of the curtains!! v strange. nursery finished and looks gorgeous. i love sitting in there and just thinking.

CE, i think i might be early too - as long as she gets to 36 weeks i will be happy.

elpis - i too love cake. yummy.infact i am just about to start making a cherry cake!

plan on washing baby clothes today so that i can finally finish packing my hospital bag.

look after yourselves. plenty of rest and cake. hugs, evs xxxx