Due April 2009 - Tralalaboomdiay, our bumps grow every day!!

[BabyBolat]

Place your bets on how long this thread will last, my guess is two weeks!!

Electra, I would complain about that mw appointment. This is not far off the type of neglect I was experiencing.

Schulte, I had a second hand mattress in VGC for the first three, which I hoovered and cleaned with Milton. It has now gone moudly from being in the garage, so I am buying a deluxe latex thing to replace it. I think as long as the mattress isn't worn and supports the baby's back properly, and is in good repair and clean, you are unlikely to have any problems. There was some debate abut the plastics used in cot mattresses and whether they degraded creating fumes, but this has now been disproved. The best thing you can do to avoid to sleep, avoid smoking, avoid leting it slip down the side of the sofa because you ahve fallen asleep, and breastfeed. The odds of anything happening if you do that lot are so slim they are negligible.

Think about it - if it was dangerous hotels wouldn't be allowed to provide cot mattresses for loan!

I think you are all right - probably the main reason to complain is for the sake of others as I very much doubt I will see this MW again. I have never encountered such a thing before - all the midwives I have seen apart from this have been without exception, as attentive and helpful as they possibly could be. Who should I complain to?

Is anyone else hoping for a home birth?

Hi Everyone!

electra you should definitely complain - that is shockingly bad service!!

nuttytaff very jealous of ebay baby clothes - what a bargain! What have you ordered from Mothercare?

boffinmum glad to hear your being pampered - you totally deserve it after what you've been through. Still very about hunky pool boys though!

Aah hotel cots... we stayed in a 'child friendly' hotel in Austria when DD was 9 months old and the cot they provided was in a SHOCKING state. The mattress was way too small for the cot, so there was a massive gap all around it, it was super soft, covered in stains and so worn that the middle / bottom bit was only half as thick as the top bit. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw it. DD survived but I didn't sleep well, I can tell you. I will never travel without our travel cot again. Ever.

Hadn't thought of cleaning DD's old stuff with Milton for the new baby - probably a good idea, thanks Boffinmum. I still have an unopened bottle of Milton under the sink, have never had any use for it!

Good afternoon, everyone!

It's been so long since I've been on here that I was starting to forget that I'm pg I have been so shattered lately that I'm even struggling to keep up with reading all of the posts, never mind type as well.

Unfortunately, our childminder's son has a vomitting bug so I've been forced to take a couple of days annual leave to look after DD. We've had a fab time though and it seems that it was exactly what I needed to feel a bit more human. I'm still tired but not the monumental grumpy and too tired to even bother thinking about eating sort of tiredness that I've had lately. Yesterday I took DD to a toddler group and we zoomed around on every ride-on/in imaginable then today we went swimming this morning and this afternoon we are going to make scones and have a friend round to play It can be so much fun having a toddler!

I'm sorry if I've missed any recent conversation about this, but has anyone received their claim form for their health in pregnancy grant from their midwife yet? According to the directgov website, the midwife should be able to give it to each of us at our next appointments (hopefully along with my MATB1!). I wanted to know if people are having any success before I ask for my form in a couple of weeks time.

Also, I'm going to be very cheeky and ask if anyone has a copy of the Natalhypnotherapy birth preparation CD that they are not using/have already put on their ipod/don't want anymore? I still can't find my copy and fear that DH may have lost it as it was in his CD player that he uses for PT sessions (he's a physical training instructor in the army). I'd be happy to buy/borrow a copy so that I can put it onto our mp3 player (surely DH can't lose that?!)

oooh, since I'm due the 1st of April, looks like I'm just 5 days too early for the "health in pregnancy grant", according to here:
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/HavingABaby/HealthInPregnancy/index.htm Mind you, I came up with a later due date...it was scan that moved it! but guess that won't count!

I have heard they will not make any payments until May though - my due date is 15th so I should be able to claim it...

That's cr@p Rachelinscotland Is your agreed EDD 1st?

15.30 - that is later than yesterday!!! This work malarky is really starting to annoy me!!!

Electra I would definitely complain!

Can't believe you all have such good bargains on ebay - will be taking a look soon! As regards to stuff, we have done fairly well, already have clothes, pram (travel system), cot and furniture form nursery, one of those play mat gym things as well as a whole heap of other bits and bobs so just really need to buy the basic clothes (plain babygrows, socks vests etc and cot blankets) and something for it to sleep in in our bedroom - other than that think we are there! And a steraliser but nothing huge which is quite frankly amazing - am V lucky!!

Question on the grant - if I am late and don't HAVE the baby until after the 6th can I apply then do you think for the money?

Yes, the 1st of April is my "agreed EDD" (so it says in my notes). With my 2 previous pregnancies, the scans agreed with my dates/due date etc, but the dating scan at 12 weeks moved my due date a full week ahead. So guess that's just me stuck here. Oh well. Didn't know about the grant before yesterday anyway...but thot, hey, 190 quid isn't bad if they'll give it away! Oh well. Maybe next time??

Just woke from a 3 hour nap and was so hungry I burst into tears at the thought of having to go all the way down to the kitchen for food. The cat looked at me like I was nuts then 'led' me down there...do you think he knows what's going on?

I am very pleased with all these things we have. I am very lucky to have got most of it actually and it relieves me a bit because money is tight with only DH working. Was counting on the grant, but when I found out the dates put me outside the requirements made me a bit sad. Ah well we'll figure it out. Ebay has been my definite friend through it all though I've not found as great deals as you have Nutty.

I am getting DH a present, but it's from me...I'm making him a special chalk/cork board to put his biking info on. He often tells me where he's going on a ride, but I've been horribly forgetful lately... So I'm making a mtn bike themed one to put up in the hall near his stuff so he can write it down and put his race forms on(so they don't get lost) Hopefully it'll help us both out and make oragnising races/rides easier once Sprite is born.

Do you think it's normal to be so hungry? Dh said perhaps it's gestational diabetes...It has been such a long time since I've been to the MW that I guess it could have developed...What do you think? Should I call the surgery and try to get an appointment for tomorrow? Can they find out at/during a regular surgery session or would Ihave to see a specialist? Damn that man for putting such thoughts in my head; now I'm going to be worrying until I can confirm that it's not it...

not sure about the answer bleuravin but my thoughts are always to phone the mw/surgery and ask them what you should do. i cant remember if you are one of the ones with rubbish mws and if so, maybe that wont help, but otherwise, most seem to be good at answering queries like that by phone.

if its any help though - i am hungry just about all the time too and sometimes, i just have to eat - as maybe nutty or springy were saying earlier - end up eating junk as other things take too long to prepare and have to eat right then.

Let me paint you a little picture of what I think is a pretty 'typical' pregnancy experience - you know, the sort of thing that when the majority of it gets blurred with time there are still a few individual memories that sum it all up.

DP is in the bathroom, putting up a bathroom cabinet above the sink, making lots of banging noises & muttering various expletives under his breath.

I go in & tell him that I'm about to be sick & manage to just about move all of his tools off the toilet before I make a mess everywhere, whilst he continues to hammer things.

As I'm being violently sick, he continues to make lots of loud, sharp noises that go straight through me & make my head feel even more like it's going to explode.

Then, just at the sicky climax, an arm starts weaving its way around my legs, picking up various bags of screws & whatever else is lying at my feet, knocking me off balance.

I finish being sick, having miraculously aimed it all down the toilet, & flush it away. My eyes are still streaming & I begin to brush my teeth. At which point my darling, darling fiancé, who let's not forget got me into this situation, raises his eyebrows & says, 'Just how long are you going to be? I still need to put the other door on...'

Ah, pregnancy. Good times

Shall go & catch up now

I just googled for symptoms and found out that hunger is not one of the symptoms actually... thrist and nausea are though...I have been a bit nauseous lately, but I it's usually when I've not eaten for a long while and then eat way too fast... And I've not been particularly thirsty, though I am drinking a lot of fluids.... I may just wait until 29th when I go in unless something else comes up..

oh poor Springy. Just hit him or pinch him. Maybe he'll wake up...

I just sat in the rocking chair that I bought at the very beginning of the pregnancy to rock/feed the baby in thinking to take a rest and admire my handy work today... My fat hips hardly fit any longer. LOL Thank goodness it only cost me a fiver.

Nutty, shame about the scan But as you say, at least he was honest & you didn't waste the money - put it towards something else. Perhaps something nice for you like a good pregnancy massage?

Ebay - I've not even started looking at anything on there yet, because I'm getting a bit obsessed with things now & the exciting bidding experience mixed with my baby excitement can only end in huge debts!

frekkles, I love the idea of knitting stripy rainbow blankets! If only I could knit... I used to be able to (kind of) when I was about 6, but don't remember anything about it at all. Thinking about it, no wonder I'm worrying about educational wall coverings - my mother saw fit to teach a 6 year old how to knit

How are you possibly coping with only a £36 expenditure on maternity clothes? I can't even think how much I must've spent. It's best for my health if I don't!

Love the Diana Ross dream, by the way I had a dream last night that I had my lovely newborn & was carrying him around (for some reason he was naked & I didn't think to clothe him) & accidentally dropped him. Lukcily I managed to catch him before he hit the floor, but there was a scary fumbling moment! & then I had to put him in his car seat, which was actually a furry (but not soft - kind of itchy) lever-arch file - but that seemed perfectly normal

Boffin, yay for the DLA! You've done well to get that. Make sure you exploit it! & fingers crossed that Nutty can get it too!

Claire, so pleased that you managed to get your swabs done already So much better than that long wait that they thought was okay!

Speaking of neglect, electra! How awful! Definitely complain. It's just outrageous.

conker & purplemonkey, I think you should spend all of your time on the ward wearing a red carnation & carrying a black umbrella just in case you're both in at the same time. It'd make for some excellent conversations amongst the other women, too

Kitty, that's a really nice idea about the present. I might do that. I don't know what I'd get, though... Will let you know if I think of anything good.

Swaliswan, you made me laugh with the idea that it's MN that reminds you that you're pregnant I'm seeing my midwife next Tuesday afternoon (finally tracked her down), so I haven't been given any forms yet.

I'm a little of you with your 'physical training instructor in the army' DH - sounds lovely

& actually, I think I'm almost more excited about the toddler part of everything than the tiny baby bit... I mean I do adore babies, but toddlers are great with their little personalities. Could do without the tantrums, though.

BB, how dare they keep you so busy that you can't MN until half three? I'm disgusted Also, I think that the grant works on EDDs, not actual delivery dates Definitely worth a go if you make it that far, though.

Hunger - you don't want to know how many packets of crisps I get through a day It's really awful, but still they're often the only thing that I fancy eating - & they're so convenient!

With gestational diabetes, does it go away again after you give birth? Or is it something that affects you forever once you get it?

Haha, bleuravin, I'm not upset about it. He did get a look, but he's been buzzing around the flat all day doing various tasks that really needed doing. All I've done is grocery shopping online, so I can't complain. Typical bloke behaviour, though

& by the time the baby arrives, your hips won't be half as big. & as you say, for a fiver you can't really go wrong anyway...

Boy am I strugglng to keep pace. This baby is definitely more of a kicker than DD, I keep thinking she's going to come right through. I also feel a lot of pressure down there. In fact the whole area is a bit, ahem, swollen . Anyone else the same?

Conkertree - re engaging children constantly, I try to spend a certain amount of time with her on activites in and out of the home but she definitely enjoys her time to herself to explore and create her own fun. It's very important to her development. I even read an article that suggested that overly attentive helicopter parents are creating adults later in life who are less successful in the workplace because they don't know how to take the intiative and stumble without guidance. Interesting thought.

Frosty - Can't believe you went to a festival! God I miss Download and Reading. I would have been miserable as sin being pregnant and thus unable to join in the decadence.

Nutty - Aurora is a great name. How's your back lovely?

Frekkles and Clairey - Have you got any further on your respective name fronts?

Clarey - Lucky you not gaining any weight. I have gained 24 pounds so far but am doing better than last time. By this stage with DD I had gained about 34.

Conkertree - I used a babasling wth DD and found it pretty good.

Schulte - I too am looking forward to the birth. Gas and air is fun . I'm aiming for a homebirth.

BabyBolat - The woman on the train story made me laugh. You are my hero. I work from home now but used to work in the city. I can't begin to imagine doing the commute whilst pregnant.

Oddeyes - I itch constantly but am being very disciplined and not scratching as I hear it can cause stretch marks (true or not BoffinMum??) by damaging the already fragile skin and i'm determined not to get any. Find bio-oil helps.

Barbarella - I think Estella is the most beautful of the three, followed by Freya, then Rosanna. Much respect to you for planning to breastfeed your three babies. I'm sure you will find plenty of support on the relevant threads if needed. It's so lovely that your children will have playmates from day one. I can't wait to see DD with her little sister.

Bleuravin - DD rarely woke up when being lifted out of her car seat. Just make sure you have one that doesn't require too much faffing about to get her out. Aww, just realised I will have to dig that seat out of the attic soon. Oh and you musn't offer me cheesecake, that is why I put on so much weight last time. Yum.

BoffnMum - your son sounds adorable. DD pats my bump and says "baby hiding". She gets really wide eyed when I tell her that one day she will come out and play with her.

Mathsmummy- The burlesque sounds fab. Must try that some time.

Schulte - How's your eye?

Ok that has taken me up to the 10th so just four more days to catch up on. Must go and give DD her supper. Back later. x

Puzzle, you're making a heroic effort! Have seen you around other threads & wondered where you'd got to - I'm glad you've not abandoned us

gestational diabetes apparently goes away after birth, but can cause problems later in life for the woman like type2 diabetes and it can cause problems with the birth, too much amniotic fluid, a big baby thus needing a c-section, and the baby having problems with their own insulin levels at birth... hmmm
Now I'm a bit worried again; I should have called the dr probably, will call tomorrow morn I guess...

I only go out for a few hours and so many posts!

Gestational diabetes - the little strips you wee on for the mw test for sugar in the urine, which is one possible indicator. Blood test at 28 weeks gives another snapshot. Glucose challenge is the big one - the test where you drink Lucozade on an empty stomach. If you are worried then ask for that test. The condition goes away after pg but you may be more prone to other forms of diabetes. However the main treatment is just to eat a diabetes-friendly diet anyway, so if you cut out as many carbs as you can, especially things containing sugar, then you'll help yourself anyway.

Springy, that is a classic. My DH would at least try to hold my hair out of the way whilst checking the door with a spirit level or something!!

I was veeeeery cross earlier. Went to see DD at uni and have coffee and show an interest in the assignment she is doing. Au pair was out on the razz last night and only got home at 2.30am. She then went to bed for the whole day after dropping the boys off at school. She got up very late and was late collecting the little one from school. She was also supposed to have collected the tandem they go to and from school on before the end of the school day, but because she was so disorganised and generally out of it, she had to go to collect it afterwards, and apparently completely forgot about DS1 (age 11). She ended up cycling home 35 minutes late. Meanwhile DS1 had come home on his scooter as usual (he gets out a bit later), found nobody here, panicked, burst into tears and gone the mile back to school, apparently being attacked by a dog on the way (a fierce lick and bark from a neighbour's new dog actually, but obviously it freaked him out). 2 minutes after he left our house I happened to arrive back home early, but knew nothing about this and assumed au pair and children were all together on the way home via the shops or library or something, which is not unusual. Then the school phoned and told me DS1 was there, and very distressed, so I went to pick him up, having no clue what had happened. Au pair turned up, cycling in the twilight, no lights on the tandem, and when I asked her where the hell she had been and told her what DS1 had been through, she just looked confused. I then told her she would be on the next plane back home if she ever abandoned my kids again. I was as cross as I ever get.

Luckily for her she has seen the light, apologised very humbly, expressed feelings of great guilt and remorse, and told me she feels mortified and will not go out so late on a weeknight again because it effectively puts the children at risk. So we had a hug and I have forgiven her, as long as she never does it again. I also threatened to snitch on her to her mum, who I felt would agree with me wholeheartedly.

However DH thinks I overreacted!!! It's flipping January, 3 degrees celsius, bloody dark and DS1 was CRYING!!! And ABANDONED!!! And I feel guilty even though I wasn't the one supposed to be there!!!!

Family life, eh?

Boffinmum- gosh. I truly understand your anger. I don't think you were out of place in reality. Thank goodness everyone ended up being realitively ok, just a bit emotionally shook up.

What excitement to look forward to later in life aye?... The older I get and the closer this baby approaches the more I feel for my own poor mom dealing with five of us as well as work and going back to Uni late in life.