March 2009: Pelvic pain, sciatica, and getting kicked in the ribs: Are we prize fighters or just entering the third trimester?

[MKG]

Here's our new thread ladies.

Hey Y'all!

Corgi you're DH sounds a dream! I wish mine would massage me lots! Still he's very good other ways so can't complain.

Yes, I too feel the lack of sleep is getting to me. I'm a rubbish sleeper at the best of times, but this last couple of weeks has been shocking and last night and tonight I've been feeling a bit sort of wobbily, not physically, just anxious and the odd dark thought popping into my head - and I KNOW fine well it's the lack of sleep and the the fact the last two weeks have been hideously busy. Everything I was doing was gearing up for today (finishing at work, getting kitchen done, remortage, mat allowance etc) and now I'm in a bit of an anti-climax and feeling a bit low, but I guess that's totally normal, and when things calm down I'll feel better. And I can honestly say, in my experience, I get more sleep when the baby is actually OUT, than at this stage!

Was teary finishing work today, I got a lovely cake and an M&S voucher and a card with so many lovely things written in it, that I'm sure my family won't recognise the person described (eg, 'Will miss your smiling face and sense of humour' etc ). And then, when I was going, my boss, who speaks very posh and is very high up in Corporate Governance circles, started saying how much they'd miss me and my cheery ways etc, that was it. Lump in throat, couldn't speak. Blubbed all the way to the station! I got treated so badly by my last two employers (smaller companies) that I'm just not used to working for such lovely, understanding people, so will really miss them. But not the commute.

Happy Friday y'all! (We're getting there!!)

Baby has dropped at 31 weeks!

Had a panicky moment when 'What to expect...' suggested this happened 2 to 4 weeks before labour, but lots of online stuff seems to say this is bollocks and 1st babies can drop up to 12wks early.

I'm still going to try and get DP to help me clear out babies 'room' (ie, our study!) and start painting it etc, just in case...

although on the other hand if MW says on thursday at next appointment that baby has dropped and is head down I reckon that means I'm pretty unlikely to have a breech baby, right? Apparently the issue in our family has been that babies just never dropped and engaged until labour started (and were then inevitably in the wrong position!)

Laws Is this your first? I can't remember. My first baby engaged very early too, I think I still had about 6 weeks to go and I was suddenly with a very sore, er, undercarriage, and waddling like mad. All the MW's were saying, Oh, I'll eat my hat if you don't go early. I didn't, I still went on time, so there was hat-eating-a-plenty! But if your babies head has engaged, (however many fifths) then I would hazzard a guess he/she is unlikely to turn, but you never know. Lying/sleeping on your left side helps get babies into a good position.

I slept much better last night and am feeling better for it! Thank God!

slickbird your wprk sounds lovely - I am very . I had an awful day on Friday and came home in floods of tears. Would normally be able to handle it but pregnancy hormones let the tears out. I have 6 weeks left and I am on countdown!

Have also been feeling very wobbily. If you look back I think both you and I had a "oh I'm getting excited about having a new baby" moment around the same time - then I just get anxious again. Hopefully now you've finished work your anxiety will ease off - I am sure it will when I've finished.

I keep patting the bump and saying sorry for getting stressed - I normally get a kick in the ribs in response

I can't remeber when dd engaged. I do remeber having a ledge at teh top of my bump - then suddenly it all dropped very low. I went into labour the day after my due date with dd.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend. Dd is napping and I managed to nod off for about 20 mins on the sofa.

Laws, I've been 3/5ths engaged for a couple of weeks, think it's quite normal and don't worry (though dd was born prem at 35 and a bit weeks, eek.......)

Meep I'm sorry you're having such a stressful time at work. I had the same last time, and there's nothing worse having a stressful pregnancy because of work. And still 6 weeks to go? Who is it you work for?

Can't wait to see my midwife on Thurs and see if the baby has dropped! Probably breech, knowing my luck.

So DH is incredibly sick at the moment (flu) and is all snivelly and feverish. He still managed to put the cot together in an hour though, whilst I was out walking the dog this morning, bless him, so now the nursery is almost complete.

Quick qs for the mums on here... what mattress would you recommend getting? I've done about 30 seconds research and see that you pay more for a sprung one than a foam one... is it worth the extra expense as baby is likely to sleep better and thus you are too? Any particular advice when buying one (obviously will check it adheres to all the safety regs etc).

Thanks! Once curtains are up and mattress is in, I'll post a pic! xxx

Boobz--It's been my experience that all matresses are created equal. Figure ds2 slept in the playpen until ds1 was big enough to handle having him in his room (about 1 year) They'll get used to whatever you get for them IME. So decide by price point.

On a positive note, I got new nightgown for the hospital and some new night-time nursing bras today. Once I get them clean my labor bag will be offically packed and ready to go. Now just to sort out the baby's things and I'll be on my way. [terrified that time is running out emoticon]

MKG - can I ask a question, why bras for night time?

Well dinny- My "ladies" need a home, especially when they get engorged, they just get out of control. I also need something to hold my nursing pads in as I'm a leaker. I mean sheets soaked leaking. They are just a lot more relaxed than a jogging bra, so I can wear them at night, and they'll also be good for when I'm in the hospital and the days I'm home to house "the girls" without being super restrictive and uncomfortable. I figure at $14.95 each getting a couple wouldn't be too bad.

lol at "ladies"!

My "ladies" are never without some sort of scaffolding, regardless of if I'm pregnant or not.... they're quite large and I don't want stretch-marks in 10 years! I wear M&S vests at night that have a built in crop top thing (great for BF too). I always wear underwired bras, although during pregnancy have switched to non-wired firm support (which are crap).

Boobz - I got DD1 a foam mattress for the moses basket and then a foam mattress for her cotbed too. I made sure they have breathable covers etc and she was fine. We got her a sprung mattress when we took made the cotbed into just a bed - although she was 2 at that point!

I've bought a new mattress for the moses basket, foam again. I just avoid the plastic covered ones.

God, never thought of wearing a bra at night

in fact, I am still in my normal underwired bras atm - is that VERY BAD?

No, I'm still in my underwires. I'm heaving out of them all day, but I'm still wearing them

Mattresses - we bought a new one for dd as it was a second hand cot. Spoke to the folk at John Lewis and they recommended just going for the cheapest foam one as it was perfectly good - and dd has slept fine on it.

Slickbird would rather not say where I work as I think some of them may MN! At least I will have 3 weeks of mat leave to relax before the wee one arrives - I will survive until then!

I'm still in underwires too - never stopped my milk coming in last time and at least my "ladies" have a semblance of a shape with wire

Morning all.

Re matresses: Have just bought a new sprung one for the baby as DS has a foam one which has a big dip in it where his head goes! He is 2 and 1/2 so it has had a lot of use but wanted a bit more support for the next one. Its double the price tho so a foam one would be fine if I was planning and moving to a bed sooner rather than later.

Re Bras: Still in underwires as find that anything else a waste of time. Only wear them when I have to go out as they are super uncomfy! Wore underwires all through BF with DS as they didn't really sell nursing bras in my size then. Might get a couple this time but don't think I really use them. Have had stretch marks on them since teenage years anyway so not worried about that side of things lol!

Can't believe you all have your bags done. I have been itching to do it but wont at least until I finish work in 2 weeks time. There are things in there but only for storage atm. I do have my list done... and redone... and redone. Just need to start cleaning all 2nd hand stuff/stuff form DS and will be there!

Meep - That ocurred to me after I asked so that's fair enough!

I have been wearing my maternity/feeding bras pretty much as soon as the boobs were big enough to go in them again, all through this pregnancy. None of my normal ones would fit otherwise and I find the underwired not great when I'm pg. Esp not recommended when you are feeding - 'they' (whoever they are) say that underwires one can damage ducts, but maybe a MW would advise.

Well DH and I managed to go out for a meal last night which was really nice, and so rare as it is usually jinxed by something - but maybe we have finally broken the jinx.

Although unfortunatley when we got back, my parents told me that my uncle had had a heart attack that morning but was luckily ok. When he had started showing signs of really not being good through the night, the paramedics came round and it was actually when he was in the ambulance he went into arrest, so they were able to save him straight away - SO LUCKY. He's only 65 and a lovely guy, just become a grandparent twice in the last year, but he is a smoker. He's been told he must stop immediately. I'm pretty sure he will now.

Anyway, sorry for hogging the thread on an unrelated topic. It was just all a bit of a fright.

slickbird sorry your uncle is unwell, sounds like he certainly had someone watching out for him that day though. Hope he is on the mend and off the cigarettes! I used to smoke, quit when I got pregnant, its not easy but hopefully this will shock him into action!

MKG you have shocked me into action! I have been claiming that I am sorting my hospital bag but really I bought 2 packs of maternity pads and a cheap nighty that were say in an M&S bag in the living room! Your organisation has shamed me! So I went out and bought some cheap shampoo, shower gel and deoderant and have put these together with the other items into a proper bag! And also included a couple of vests and a couple of sleepsuits for baby and a hooded baby towel! Although it is not completely done, I do feel like if it were to all happen now I would have enough to get by!! Going home outfit and cost all in one suit with ears (so cute!) to be brought along with car seat by DP on going home day as all the stealing stories have un-nerved me a little!

My mum and dad gave been across today and done my DIY for me! Hung 3 pictures and curtain pole in nursery and secured changing cabinet to the wall...so that's it, babys room is all ready for him when he wants to come out!

On another note though...my poor mum who has only been back in work for 2 weeks now after breaking her foot back in November has been told she is being made redundant I feel so bad for her. She has worked for Barclays for over 20 years and this is how they treat her (her last 3 jobs within Barclays, over the last 10 years have ceased to exist a couple of years after her starting and she was told each time either find yourself a job within Barclays or you have no job! Charming!) but this time they have actually offered a redundancy package so I think she is leaning towards that and then finding another job! The package is reasonable and she will probably come out with about a years salary so she can take her time finding a job she wants. And sad one of her friends pointed out...this friend is very good at finding the silver lining...she can take some time to enjoy being a grandma! Her final month is likely to be February so she will finish just in time! Selfish I know, but I'm quite happy at the prospect of having her around more for at least a short time, she lives an hour away so don't see them every week! Although I am absolutely gutted for her, I know hoe upset she would have been.

On a happier note...I think! We have already begun discussing a christening! I found out we have family heirloom christening gowns but they are quite small so would mean doing it before baby is 3 months, so planning has begin for mid june! Back in my home town in the church I was christened in! I am getting quite excited about it, bit also a little scared that I'm jinxing baby, even though I am 33 weeks and all is fine, I still feel a little wobbly about making plans for after he gets here! Is it just me being a fruit loop or does anyone else have the same neurotic worries?!

Hope everyone is keeping well and has had a good weekend!

Slickbird, hope your uncle is improving

Emma, sorry about your mum's job - have been redaing today that Barclays likely to be nationalised next week........

another mw appointment on Tues - am hoping she won't weigh me as I'll get really depressed!! can I refuse to be weighed? never have been in either of my other two pregnancies....

Boobz, thanks for the eBay endorsement - I am feeling much better about it, and am about to dive in and bid on an electric breast pump following everyone's input.

I think, though, you may have a point about wanting an iron-clad guarantee on the pram; one vendor on eBay actually drew attention to the fact that Bugaboo says on their website that second-hand purchases aren't valid for warranty! As that's really going to be our biggest investment, maybe I'll have to suck it up and do it. If I do go ahead and bid, I'll have to figure how to get me, my stuff and a pram box on the Eurostar...

But you've made me think about all sorts of other things I can look for!

Loving all the talk of the "ladies" sadly, mine don't seem noticeably bigger just saggier. Am VERY curious to see what happens when the milk comes in!

Glad your colleagues were so lovely, Slickbird. And hope your uncle is doing better.

Laweasel, are you waddling now??

MKG, I am in awe of your organisational skills. I'm just feeling like a very round hamster on a very large wheel!

Feel a little bit premature in that last night I made up the cot with sheets, blankets and toys. Had to do it tho as it was starting to become a dumping ground!

Oh babyinbelly, I remember seeing the crib with nothing in it, beautifully made up just so. It was the most beautiful thing.

That reminds me that I should put the cradle together this week so the boys get used to not touching it.

Baby wow that is organised. Sheets etc all washed but not going in the cot until the baby is here as I am worried about the cat making herself too at home before the baby gets here.

Emma sorry to hear about your mum that is quite rubbish. A few people where I am are likely to be take voluntary redundancy or be made redundant and it just creates a horrible black cloud over everything and everyone and no-one really knows what to say. On the other hand I would be like you and am really looking forward to having my mum around for support (luckily mines retired and lives within walking distance).

Slick sorry about your uncle - heart problems are just not good, you should also encourage the rest of your close family to get checked out to make sure they don't have really high cholesterol or diabetes etc anything that can make their chances of heart disease higher. As it often runs in families.

As for the underwear dilemma - I wuld normally wear underwired bras during the day and some non-wired support bras at night - my 'ladies' are big enough non-pregnant and already far more saggy than they should be on someone under 30 (even if it is only just). But for about the last 2 months I haven't been able to wear underwire between it and the babys feet my ribs were felling bruised and sore almost continuously. So now I have nursing bras on during the day and nothing at night (which will probably mean the 'ladies' will be near my knees by the time the baby is born!).

Law I think I mentioned a few pages back that I my last mw appointment that the baby had engaged already and that would have been about 31 weeks too. It does seem that it varies wildly between people. So haven't really given it much thought since and I am starting to get used to the need to go to the toilet everytime I move, stand up, get cold etc as my bladders seems to be under enormous pressure from the babies head!

Hi everyone.
I know I've not been on here for months (work changed their internet policy) but I am still hovering around and hope I haven't dropped off your list.

I haven't managed to read many pages of this thread yet, but wondered if anyone else has been told their baby is too small? MW is concerned about the fundal height measurement, and if it's not improved by next week I'll be sent for a growth scan. I'm quite suprised by the thought of a small baby, and DD was 7lb 14oz and very long, and DH is over 6 ft tall. I've also had a big bump since about 12 weeks. Anyone else been told their baby could be small, and does anyone know anything about IUGR babies (apparently this is what it's called).

HC x