Dec 08: but that doesn't mean you can touch my bump!

[rosmerta]

New thread with bisou's title suggestion

Morning all

Good luck Pixsix! Loving everyone's pics. That's a super dress, Bisou.

I'm in a good mood - I finish work on Fri so this is my LAST MONDAY MORNING - and just had my 28 week appointment with obs, cs looks likely to be done on 25th Nov, just waiting to hear. And BabyLady is looking great. However, I've got to have that yucky sugary drink test at some point this week. I have insulin issues when I'm not pregnant but oddly it's settled down in pregnancy and I don't have to take my usual meds, though it's all monitored quite closely.

Had a lovely back, neck and shoulder pregnancy massage on Saturday at the spa at Daylesford (it's in the Cotswolds if anyone's near there and it's super) - I'm suffering with my back, I presume most others are the same? Anyway, the lady said my back is in a state and my posture is terrible as I am hunching and tensing my shoulders and sticking my bum out as a result of the bump. Don't really know what to do about this. Any tips?

hi all, i am due 20 dec. and cant wait!!! i already have a 4yr old who started school today.. sob sob... he was fine
this is my first time on IM!!!

Hello everyone,

Chutney, mibbes, hatty and poisondwarf thanks for your kind words re the breastfeeding. I know that I shouldn't get overly upset by it but it just hurts not to even be able to have a go. Oh well.

Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback on the pram chutney, invisible, and verso. You confirmed my suspicions really that it is a very practical but unglam option! Reban good suggestion re keeping it at my mums. Sadly mibbes I've missed the boat on saying I had my heart set on one - I wish I'd thought of that before! I'm still unsure about whether to just go with it seen as it does represent a significant saving . Decisions, decisions...

Good luck with the scan pixsix. It is really weird seeing your tummy move! It does look alien-like.

Glad you had a good holiday hatty. We go away this weekend and I can't wait

Indith I am having the exact same bladder issue. I asked the consultant and he said that the baby can sometimes sit on the pipe leading from the bladder so you have a wee and it doesn't empty properly then when the baby moves a bit you suddenly need another wee. It is really uncomfortable isn't it?!

Right, this is miles into the future as usual but I do like to be organised and have everything straight in my mind. It's a bit personal as well, so feel free to ignore me. Contraception after birth? I have hopefully recovered, I'm thinking about the cap. I don't want to go on the Pill again, condoms are no good for DP (how can I put this delicately - they 'put him off'), the coil freaks me out...so I'm hoping the cap will be ok, though it doesn't sounds hugely, er, romantic. I just don't want to get pregnant again immediately and I know a couple of people this has happened to...

Hello everyone, been on holiday. Lovely relaxing time in the mountains in France, eaten too much, back to real life now though, boohoo.
Far too much to catch up on everything, so just saying hi!

LadyT can you take the pill while you are breastfeeding anyway? And can you get a coil fitted soon after the birth? My OH does not like condoms, but I am planning that he can lump it for the first few months after as he will not be getting much anyway

Summer, I'm off to France on 20th Sept, but as a veggie I am a bit worried about what I'm going to be able to eat - cheese and wine have always been my stalwarts in France (particularly the first two),so I think I am going to be stuffed (metaphorically anyway, though probably not literally).

Well, the cap is the Great White Hope for me. I don't think you can have a coil fitted immediately - not sure, and I'm a bit of a baby about the idea of them - and think you have to take the Mini-Pill if you are breastfeeding, though again I may be wrong here.

You can have the coil fitted a few weeks after birth. It isn't too bad actually but the cramping after is evil. Of course mine seemed to trigger the start of periods again and then promptly fell out so I went back to condoms, which as we all know are a wonderful method of contraception

Don't forget you can have melted cheese so fondue would be ok!! Lots of places have pizzas as well, and omelettes (though not so much in the evening). And nice salads with yummy salad dressings. France is really not good for veggies though is it?

No way to the mini-pill for me, I am way to dozy. It is about all i could do to cope with the normal pill taking 1 a day!!

Lady T I was thinking about this the other day I tried to have the coil fitted last time round and couldnt go through with it too painful so I will try the pill.

Have the post holiday blues today, am up to my eyes in washing and DS is in a right old grump. I have written a list of all the stuff I have to sort out in the next few weeks and its huge. Grr grump grump grump.

Pixsix I love seeing my tummy wobble around I can defo feel specific bits of baby also DS is always climbing on me and I think its the babies way of saying get off to big brother.

Hi Ninni nice to meet you.

Turnip with you on the piles dont think the dehydration of flying has helped - ouch.

LadyT I found that the mere fact of 'perineal discomfort' (as daintily expressed in one of my books) was sufficient method for about a year .

Seriously though - the minipill is fine if BF and if you want to avoid taking synthetic oestrogens (I had terrible bother with the Pill itself but found the minipill was fine).

Poinsondwarf sorry I mentioned your work stuff on here when you'd only mentioned it at the meet-up ! I'm glad to hear you've got a better job out of it in the end though.

Pixsix sorry to hear about the return of your nausea, though your DH sounds like an angel. He is an example to us all!

LadyT you can take the mini pill while breastfeeding. I took it with both of mine in the past (I really dint know why though as it didn't have much work to do IYNWIM)

LT: I didn't go back on the pill after DS (you can take the mini pill while bfing btw) and felt so much better for it - no idea what to do this time round. I think they can fit the coil at your 6 week check while your cervix is still nice and dilated, but I'd ask your consultant. I'm toying with the coil idea, too clumsy for a cap I think! Actually I'm happy using condoms but DH is less keen . It depends on whether we want to try for another at any point as I think the coil has a chance of reducing your fertility?

Lowrib: Clapton can be interesting, are you upper or lower? DH's cousin used to live on Upper Clapton Rd and got used to all sorts happening outside her front door. She's a tough Essex woman though and was completely unfazed.

Poisondwarf: yes, we're still thinking of Colchester. Now getting to the stage of nearly nearly getting flat on teh market, unfortunately work and weather keep intervening. We're also seriously thinking about renting the flat out as a short-term option, friends of ours have done just this and moved up to Herts (she due a week after me .

Oh and Hackney gals, finally ventured into the world of soft play last weekend [whock] at KidzMania (I know, I know). Apart from the funny smell, it was great. There's a baby and toddler pen area where you can leave them to it while you sit down and drink tea . It's just the other side of the church on the Lea Bridge roundabout if that makes sense.

Pixsix: good luck for the scan. I have another growth scan booked for November thanks to this dodgy umbilical cord thingy. Am really hoping the baby doesn't turn up early as my mat leave is all nicely settled - last day in the office 9 Dec. Iw ould be green at LT finishing this week, only I have SO MUCH to do between now and then!

Am also suffering from a low-down bump, v umcomfortable. Baby was in the right position at the last scan though, so that's one mercy.

Def happy to help with bfing questions, though can't claim to be an expert as DS cottoned onto the idea pretty much immediately and I was lucky enough to escape mastitis and many other problems others have had.

Right, am off to have a nosy at profile pics...

Ninni welcome and congrats on your pregnancy!

LadyT I was wondering the same thing. The thought of the cap just puts me off though in the same way the thought of condoms kind of ruins the flow of things...the coil just sounds so unpleasant..

They put me on the minipill last time but I found that the pill hormones reacted very differently with my body post-birth - I ended up putting on weight and my skin breaking out (which I guess served as contraception anyway along with new motherhood generally! ).

My thinking far too far into the future today is thinking about what to wear late winter in those post-baby cold dark days.

Last time around my bump took a long while to go down and I slobbed about in maternity trousers and stretched bobbly normal jumpers for ages, which looked a bit comically tight when my milk had come in and my boobs were enormous!. I remember it made me feel really crappy and this time around, although I know I won't look remotely stylish most of the time, I'd like to look reasonably presentable. Does anyone have any tips? I need tops which are accessible for breastfeeding and I can't bear to be cold which doesn't help living in the rural North.

I was thinking maybe of getting some longsleeved tops a size or too big and some knitwear that is easily undone, like wrap style cardigans/cardigans that just have a few buttons at the neck and cover up the flab. I may well be consoling myself for not being able to buy all the lovely winter clothes just coming into the shops! I don't want to leave it until January and there be nothing left I like...

I remember Indith mentioning some jeans that were great with a post-baby bump? Do you still have the link? Any other clothes tips? Might start a thread in style!

Oh and was it Hatty about being organised?
The consultant scared me with his talk of packing bags, so I have started already.
I am sat here with sore feet because I have spent the morning traipsing round town to get last things for my hospital bags.
I now have a set of bright red towels from Primark (they also had black!)
A baby set from there also.
Nice navy pajama bottoms and a cerise vest top, with a matching check old fashioned button up nightshirt that I intend to use as a dressing gown and for over the vest for feeding in the hospital.
And of course socks and fluffy slippers.

AND

Two more Christmas presents

Aggh I have nothing for my baby yet! .

Bought lots of winter stuff for my DD's yesterday, am thinking about my winter wardrobe but have nothing for the new arrival.

Missmama I am in awe of your organisation! But can't believe your consultant mentioned packing bags already!

Lovely pics, what a glam lot you are! Your wedding dress is great Indith, as is Bisou's sparkly number . Despite shopping trips I suspect I don't have any really flattering maternity clothes (may be me rather than the clothes at fault ) so would appreciate any reviews... oh and if I can get DS to photograph the bump will stick a pic on.

Turnip: love the pics of your DD . Is that angelic look deceptive?

Jollybear that is really interesting about the baby on the bladder as I quite often wee then feel like I need again immediately - my baby is definitely way low down. Does anyone know when they turn (assuming s/he does turn) approximately ?

pixsix good luck with scan xx hope you are feeling better today.

hatty YIKES ! I am so not ready to have my baby yet.. am really at how far through we are now and really getting feared-up about the birth and the aftermath [terrified emoticon]

LT about finishing up work this week ! I have 9 weeks to go and how can you even be thinking about bedroom action so soon ! We are getting very little at the moment due to DP's fear that he'll 'hurt the baby' and he has been warned he'd best take his chance now as there will be a drought for quite some time after the big event

welcome Ninii

Well I was really sick this morning at work which was all very embarrasing as someone had to come and 'rescue' me from the toilets as my boss was worried I'd been away for ages , think I may have eaten something dodgy but seem to be on the mend now

Thanks so much for all your help re: contraception. Maybe I am just being a wuss about the coil - I've read up too much on the risks, I think, rather than the advantages. As you say Verso, I think sex might be off the agenda for a while after the birth - I may avoid 'perineal discomfort' with a c-section but I sure as hell won't avoid it elsewhere. Sorry your Isabella Oliver stuff has to be sent back - I had to send back a pair of jeans because they were too small, and the customer service is quick and good.

Which brings me on to Hatty - I know Isabella Oliver is pricey, but they do have lovely wrappy tops of all kinds which look v suitable for breastfeeding and flattering too.

Back to contraception - I don't really want to take the Pill, it makes me fat and doesn't help with my polycystic ovaries. Besides which, I'm 36 and don't want any more of it, I've taken it on and off for years and enough is enough. If the Cap is no good, I will have to think again, but apparently you can put it in before supper (say) and then hope your luck's in for later. And then if it isn't you can sleep in it and take it out the next morning. Sorry for all those eating their lunch at this moment

no baby clothes here either. Was thinking had better get some emergency bits in. My lovely MIL has given me some cash for a new sling [rubs hands} so may have a look at little vests and babygros as well. I also want one of these

Ooh, and hello Ninnii, forgot to say. I remember my first day at school like it was yesterday

Hatty it was the Hula jeans from New Look. A lot of people seem to swear by them, plus they are cheap so you don't feel guilty buying them in a couple of sizes as you deflate

Very impressed/scared at hospital bag packing! I've got to finish unpacking the house before I can even think about anything else. But hey ho I have sling, old clothes from ds and breasts. That'll do for a good 6 months

mibbes hope you're feeling ok - doesn't seem fair to actually be sick so close to the third trimester!

LadyT I forgot you're in for a c/s - sorry am forgetful at the best of times and pg is just making it worse (excuses excuses )

hatty I'd like tips on postnatal clothes too. I was in maternity for AGES afterwards as well and found it really depressing.

mutters icon< I need to get on with my Christmas shopping!!!

Hatty I had a scare last week, woke up bleeding again, (its why I stay away from the thread sometimes - everybody making plans and me not knowing whats happening )

Anyway I had 2 days in hospital - their is a link to the thread further down, It must have been while you were away - with constant monitoring etc, and they were discussing whether or not to give me the steroid injections in case they had to deliver the baby. Came home Wednesday as all was well.

Now rather than this upsetting me it has made me feel happier because I know things can now be done to help us, rather than me just being scared all the time.

I forgot to say - another method that works (as long as your partner is - as it were - up for it) is the fertility awareness method. I used it to get pg all four times I've been pg and it works equally well to show you when to avoid. There is some risk, but there are no side effects.