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.

Thanks Boobz - will take a look.

Thought I'd found a cheap one just like I wanted - didn't want to spend a lot as this will be our last baby - but it had sold out. Darn !

Wheely - I'm with you on the multi-position backrest on baby rockers - it's just so handy if they fall asleep or want to sit up and look around. I'm also not convinced of the value of the vibration option offered by so many of these chairs either - well, DD wasn't convinced anyway!

I have just seen this www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-sereno-toy-arch-zeddy-parsnip/459288700/type-i/

It's on sale at 50 quid but you might be able to find one on eBay. I'm borrowing something similar off a friend...

Ellie Get signed off NOW!!! I knocked my pan in when I shouldn't for my previous employers and it was a waste of bloody time. They treated me awfully and didn't even send me a card or call to wish me congrats after the baby was born! Needless to say, I didn't go back! Put yourself first.

Er, excuse me Boobz We're not all English you know! Eh Meep?

Meant to say, I got a voucher for Next last baby (Sept 07) And I got a stunning soft, strokably furry white snow suit for 18 quid. I prob wouldn't have bought it without the voucher but if you are treating yourself, I highly recommend it. It was one of the nicest things she had. I'd be surprised if they don't do them still. Luckily cos it's white I will use it again with this one (meant to be a boy!).

No! More bad news, after anaemia, broken washing machine and my delightful trip to hospital yesterday I went back to work this morning to find out that BLOODY OFSTEAD are inspecting this week!!

NOOOOOO.

I'm going to explode.

At the very least, it is so obvious that I am still very ill that I'm under no obligation to turn up to work this week except for the actual inspection days. Pretty pants though. There go my dreams of just signing off today and getting some sleep. I'm crying a little bit inside right now.

oh no, Law, what a nightmare... you poor thing. i live in permanent dread of the arrival of ofsted. i know that technically they should go easy on someone who has been ill and is pregnant, but it's still the last thing you need. personally i'd go home sick in a complete panic and take my paperwork with me...!

lots of hugs, sympathy and virtual chocolate hobnobs coming your way...

xxx

Thanks Ellie, Thankfully I'm not a teacher I work with the out of hours childcare. But I'm an EYFS keyworker so they're basically inspecting my department above all others, I was really really hoping they'd leave it until after I'd left!!

I feel really terrible for the head of Reception class though, she must have so much work to prepare, and she'll be in the same position of extra scrutiny.

Oh God Law That's the last thing you need! Like you say, at time when you should be winding down a bit.

The equivalent in my DH's work, The Care Commission, often say they are going to turn up on a certain date and everyone runs around doing what they need to do and then they always cancel and re-arrange the date! I mean, I know in theory, everything should be ticketyboo all the time anyway, but obviously you do extra checks etc to make sure that it is!

And our washing machine is packing in too. And I just had to buy a new hoover on Sat. what's going on?!

Anyway, there was nothing 'virtual' about my DH's consumption of chocolate Hobnobs last night! I got two packs (BOGOF) and put them in the jar and OMG how many did he horse?? Still, he was up late working on the garage (converting it) and then he cycles for miles everyday but it did make me wonder who the pregnant one was! I think I was also secretly worried there wouldn't be any left for me at this rate!

Eating your hobnobs is a criminal offence IMO. Lock him up in the attic 'til he's done with the conversion.

I think you may be on to something.....

Working from home today, so feeling slightly less stressed than normal, and I'm off to see the midwife later so hopefully I'll get the all clear from her. I'm also off to my last antenatal class tonight with the physio, so that should be quite interesting.

I am however feeling very grateful that we don't have any auditors in, I am not sure I could cope with that on top of trying to finish everything off. I am also feeling quite grateful that my boss and colleagues are so nice, they aren't the ones putting me under pressure - I do that to myself becos I don't want to leave someone else in the lurch.

Flannelcat what a lovely name for your little girl. I am glad to hear you are both doing ok.

Auntyspan no sex here, we did at about 26 weeks and it seemed to trigger the whole BH episode that I thought was labour and I didn't feel right for days. We'd both like to do the deed but I'm always too tired. boo. The intention is always there though!

Flannelcat - Congratulations!

Well, I thought I'd left my mat leave too late (38 weeks) so I've started working from home 1 or 2 days a week and also taking 1 day annual leave off each week. today is AL day 1 and it's all about getting the nursery done as there isn't enough hours in the weekend! All cleared, cleaned, repainted the wardrobe and ready for the stuff to come down out the loft - like the cot! Do I have to wait for DH to come home this evening or could I possibly nip up the loft??!

laweaslmys get yourself signed off! Mhy boss actually suggested that I take next week sick rather than start my ML early - you can self certify for 7 days (make sure you're less than 36 weeks though as they can force you to start your ML early if you take time off sick after 36 weeks)

I went in to see the GP, said I was stressed and needed a week off and before I'd finished the sentence he was signing the sick note for me. I don't think they take many chances with women who are so heavily pregnant.

My DH is off work at the moment and I've locked him in the bathroom with a bottle of coke and a large pork pie and told him not to come down until the tiling has been done! Working so far

Mmmm. I think I could go a bottle of coke and a large pork pie! Neither of which I normally have so must be the cravings!

RE: Doctors and sicknotes with pregnant women, I think they are some of the few in the world who actually KNOW just what your body is going through and is why they are so quick to sign you off. Mine didn't hesitate for a second - in fact, it was me that was saying that I was sure I could go back. Turned out I was wrong, she was right and was signed of again!

I've just been and got the vast majority of stuff for my hospital bags so I'm feeling a lot more prepared now. I'm 36 weeks on Saturday and I'm really counting down now, I'm SO ready to get my body back!

Just had the midwife round again - tried to go to work for my afternoon shift and basically had a panic attack, about feeling so ill + ofstead.

She also things the iron tablets have been making me worse!! So am having a day at the GP tomorrow to see what they can do instead.

Have just spoken to my boss and she is very lovely - I work split shifts (am and pm) and she's covering all of my morning shifts for me so hopefully the lie in and extra rest will meaner I'm fitter and better able to get through the afternoon shifts (which are more important) I'm quietly hopefully that this will have some positive effects!

Hey guys, just wanted to mention that Asda have a baby event from today for a few days and they have things like a Tommee Tippee bottle steriliser, breast pumps etc. at less than half price.

I'm going tomorrow to see if there are any genuine bargains - just thought I'd let you know in case anyone was thinking of getting stuff for their hospital bag, they might have some good stuff?

xxx

Just back from seeing midwife, had bloods taken i think im aneamic so will find out tomorrow, Bubba all high and odd shaped head downish but not engaged! at leasts she could see how uncomfortable it is getting,

went through all the booklets in the bounty pack and sorted out all the coupons! today i picked up the mum to be pack from asda and a free huggies starter set from asda worth a fiver whoop! theres another voucher for £5 off when u spend £15 in asda on baby stuff which will go quite far with the baby event on aswell!

Sorry just love free stuff

Now I want to go to ASDA tomorrow! Bit far away though. Plus it would be silly for me to take a sick day and then go traipsing around the supermarket even if their are cheap things in there!

Hmm, last time I went to ASDA in our car I caused £1000 worth of damage. I went to pick up the huggies pack when I had the courtesy car from the garage (and that was because I was chasing bargains) .... Might go when I have dd with me then I can park in parent and baby .

Sorry to hear people are feeling rubbish and have added stresses on their plate.

Not much to report here - although, having said I wasn't going to buy a fluffy suit for the baby I went into Gap today to buy a present for a friend's newborn and couldn't resist buying a fluffy pramsuity thing for my baby. I reasoned that, although it should be March - March can be cold and I am intending on using the sling a lot and its not very padded - just fluffy (with cute ears....). If anyone's still looking the Gap one was £19.50 I think (or £19) and is white.

Missmodular - dd didn't like the vibrate either on the previous chair we had and didn't like always having to lie down (once she got bigger) hence why we got rid of it and now looking for a multi-position one. I've actually found one in Mothercare which is £40 so will probably go for that one but thanks for the M&P tip !

Sorry - no offence meant with English brush I was tarnishing everyone with!

Any homebirthers out here? Come and join the homebirth thread as well, as we count down (on Childbirth section).

How many nappies should I be buying to stock up in nursery? What size?

xx

Boobz--estimate about 300 diapers for the first month. That's an average of 10 changes a day. However your baby may be like my boys who never cried for a diaper change, so I changed them a little less often.

Went to the midwife today and had an ultrasound. Got to see my little girl's face (in an alien kinda way). She's measuring good for dates. They estimate she's 5 lb 3 oz, putting her in the 41% range, and my sugars are doing great so pretty much I have to keep up what I'm doing and it'll be smoothe sailing. I go back in two weeks for my Strep b test (nothing like a vaginal and rectal swab to get you going in the morning) and then I'll go back every week after that. I can't believe the next time I go I'll be 36 weeks. The time is going by so fast!.

Hi all,

Sorry some of you are having a hard time at work i am with the others, get yourselves signed off, it really is not worth the stress!! our bodies are under a great a massive amount of strain at the moment, it aint easy growing the human race!! LOL .

Well i had a bit more of a show yesterday, but only a bit (TMI it look like a blob of dried glue ), nothing more today but my fingers are still crossed on the HB front. My arse has certainly been kicked into gear, all baby things are washed dried and are all hung in the little fellas wardrobe, hospital bag is packed!! (just incase), crib and moses basket are both made up and are now just waiting for a baby!! , we live in an old victorian 3 story house so i have both to safe carting things around.

Boobz Have posted on your HB thread, also on the nappy front i agree with MKG you will defo use approx 10 a day for at least the first mth!! as regards to size, i have always bought size 1 (newborn) Pampers, so far i have 2 big packs of 47, i would have bought more, but a friend of mind has said that pamper are not very good for boys so i have hung off buying anymore. I have also stocked up on is baby wipes, although i prefer to use cotton wool in the early days, its just not always practical!! never under estimate how far up their backs a NB breast fed baby can poo!! lol

Don't remind me of breastfed poo. DS2 would only poo once every 10 days or so (totally normal for a bfed baby for all the first timers btw) but when he did it was a massive explosion.