Heeereee comes June, its the home streeeeetch!

[Tee2072]

Here ya go, new thread! We're almost there!!!!!

helpive had a home birth with dd and am hoping to do it again this time. was a fantastic experience for me personally as not too great at any type of medical setting. felt so much more relaxed being in my own space

helpive again!!! meant to say, got to dash off now and probably wont be back til tomorrow now, but feel free to CAT me if you want to ask me anything. i'm not a knowledgeable guru or anything, but can give you my own experience

help - I will also be having a home birth again, definitely reccommend it! In fact my midwives have monthly home birth group tomorrow but I can't go due to work!

Re Twilight - Have read that and second one but kinda can't face anymore yet... Bella gets more than a little annoying in no 2 in my opinion, and indeed the seond one in general I found I lost patience with. At the same time I couldn't put the bloody thing down, like Wuthering Heights.

Insy - This is the top I got, in indigo, tis gorgeous - bracelet top

I also rather like this for my graduation ball but am not sure we'll be able to afford it! wrap column dress

tibsy - what are you knitting?

Oh, LittleSarah, gorgeous top! Enjoy! And the dress is lovely!! Hope you can get it for the ball

Lovely top, littlesarah! You can sometimes get IO things on ebay for cheaper - or there is an online company that rents out maternity occasion wear, can't remember its name but worth a google for a one-off special?

Helpivegotto I had DD in a birth centre, DS at home and am hoping to have this one at home too, if all carries on straight- forwardly. Like tibsy, I'm v happy to share the experience!

Ooh, massage, I'm v

Hello all. Thanks for all your kind words regarding FIL's op. All went well apparently, and he's now on a high-dependency ward, but off sedation. He won't be off that ward for a few days, and then hopefully they'll start him on small meals after a week or so. I think they create a new stomach out of bowel, tho' he'll never eat normally again (12 meals a day, no more than the equivalent of a Weetabix and half a cup of tea). As he says tho' better that alive than have left the cancer in there and be dead in less than a year.

Not going for a home birth, tho' my good friend had one and had a lovely experience. I'm too much of a worry-wart and had to have assisted delivery with DS so I'll be going in to hospital. I love the idea of a homebirth tho'. You'll have to let us know afterwards how it went, as I'm very willing to be convinced, if we go for DC3....

Got work tomorrow... boo hoo... Wednesday I've got to take DS for a blood test for his allergy and I'm not looking forward to it...

Hello all

I had a quick read and managed to catch up with some of your news.

mrsmcjnr - your baby must be the most monitored baby. How many tests do they have? How exhausting! Here is my cartoon of the day - appropriate for us all right now! I have put up those pictures on my home page if you are interested in letting me know your ideas. I have to take the bump photos this Friday during a pregnancy dinner party!

littlesarah - I saw that top on someone last year and it looked fabulous - fun and chic.

I picked up this Picchu column dress on ebay for £60, and it had never been worn so was really happy with that as will sell on ebay afterwards and get something back I guess.

bigcar - ouch...nursery uniform. I don't think my dd would be very keen on that. Maybe by 5.

helpive - I'm probably going for a home birth - talking to the midwife on Thursday. There is lots of debate in the Childbirth section and you will easily find people discussing the pros and cons. I will probably 'sign up for it, but if my dp is in London on business at the time, or if the midwife is one of the ones who doesn't seem so confident with home births, then I will probably change my mind and head to hospital. There seem to be differences between Health Authorities in what is offered. For instance, no birthing centres here, which I think would have been quite nice.

looouise - every time you talk about your job, you remind me of my cousin - she does something very similar to you and goes to the same places but Switzerland based. Really glad to hear that you talked about your fears to babyfather. And how nice to have a supportive family. Well done you for handling all that so well.

laura - your daughter is a cutie.

naat - you sound very 'in control' at the moment with telling your family how it is with the house situation and the hypnobirthing. I'm so happy they haven't weighed me this time. I am more than aware of my weight. They are going to measure my fundal height tomorrow.

Hello everyone else. WW3 is over after another major battle on Saturday. We signed a truce on Sunday as neither of us had any energy left to pursue it any more. I am glad I engaged though as I have been a bit of a walkover lately and that's not always good. At least he knows I feel passionately about what I said!

Bloods tomorrow, but just the normal ones not the gtt. 29 week appt on Thurs to discuss homebirth and take measurement. I think the last frost has now passed and as we don't have much in the way of a garden (just moved in last August), I have lots of plans for making it a small slice of heaven before bump makes it too hard. I think I have more mobility than last time, although I am slightly bigger.

ineed good news about your FIL I hope everything else for him goes well x

daisy glad your problem with DH is sorted must be a load off your mind.

mrsmcjnr sounds like you had a long day, thank goodness its over for you.

tee sorry to hear your still feeling ill, hopefully the results will show what is making you not feel good.

hello to everyone else x

RE getting weighed: I was weighed at my booking appointment at 10 weeks and that has been it. At last appointment midwife felt belly for the uterus and said everything feels fine. Got another appointment on Friday for bloods to get done.

Re situation at work and feeling ill - been told I can self cert for 1 week and the sick leave wont effect my maternity pay/leave as long as my week off is before the 11 wek before baby is due.
Thanks again everyone for your opinions on whether I should take time off x

Daisy, you're feeling more "empowered" now and that you've stood your ground and told DH how you feel. you signed a truce anyway, as I imagine it was draining you both... Good luck at the MW tomorrow!

Your words are very sweet, but don't know if "in control" is the right term . Hypnob came up as I was just tooooooo frightened, too much and I needed to feel more reassured about being able to give birth, IFYWIM. The issue with my parents is not over yet, unfortunately ... Will tell you girls one of these days...

Re. home birth, I actually like the idea quite a lot now that I feel much better regarding my fear (hypnob practitioner also talked about that with us) but as I don't know where "home" will be by then, I don't know if it's the best idea... We have a great birthing centre here attached to the Infirmary and we've heard from some friends who birthed their son there that it's absolutely lovely, really peaceful, etc, so hoping it'll be like a home birth

Ineed, to hear things went well with your FIL's surgery. As he said, it's going to be hard to get used to the "new eating habits" but he'll be able to live his life HOpe everything goes well on Wednesday for your DS.

Hope you're all having nice evenings ladies (waves)

Tee ? glad you had fun at the cinema last night it becomes such a treat when you have kids whereas before we kind of saw it as a fall back evening when we didn?t have anything else to do sorry to hear you are feeling crap have a good day tomorrow

Thanks for your kind thoughts for me loooouise

Naat ? thanks to you too for the good wishes. Glad to hear you had a good night?s sleep. I haven?t heard of those self-sterilising bottles but it sounds a bit gimmicky to me. I do use the microwave steriliser bags sometimes when I am in a hurry and I used them for the breast pump bits and they are good but mostly now I put the bottles into the dishwasher after a scrub and then sterilise the bottles, lids etc in my steam steriliser and the teats and dummies in a tub of Milton and cold water. Glad to hear that you are enjoying the hypnobirthing I remember being so embarrassed at one session as the teacher had to count me out of my trance a second time as I hadn?t come to the first time with the others and I ?woke up? with them all looking at me! don?t worry about the weight, doesn?t sound like the MW will even mention it.

Insy ? totally agree with you on the makes of clothes that wash and keep their shape well. I loved Mini Boden, yes it?s expensive but the things still look great after plenty of washes. My DS is absolutely filthy at the end of everyday now! Glad you had a good night fresh air in the late afternoon certainly helps them sleep better doesn?t it? the Noddy bed sounds so cute reading outside at lunchtime takes me back to my last pregnancy ? it makes you feel so much better in the afternoon

Laura ? of course you should take time off if you think you need a break, maybe your body is telling you that you are doing too much, or not eating enough, you need to take good care hon Ineedmore is right, you don?t need a line for the first week in Scotland so just take the time and get better.

Choccie ? thanks for the sympathy got none from DH, he just said ?get over it, it?s done? are you going to see the Dr about the stomach problems? Don?t think its ?normal? to lose weight now as such but there is an explanation for it in your case with the stomach issues, sure your baby is absolutely fine.

Ineedmore ? thanks for the sympathy, I think you are right, one bar just won?t do . Glad your FIL is doing well, poor man. LOL at the garden interest and the related worry its about creating, that?s why you are into it Hope DS?s blood test goes ok, horrible for you both

Tibsy ? thanks , I think you are right, one bar just won?t do . Very of your clean house, Tuesday is my cleaning day ? so boring!

Hello Ermintrude

Littlesarah ? the top looks lovely I had this wrap dress in Plum www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes/maternity-dresses/Ruffle-Wrap-Dress/D/30100/P/3:100:1020/I/ DR060 wore it the other night and I always feel great in it I got mine on eBay The column dress looks gorgeous too!

Bigcar ? my gardening sounds like yours, I am much better at pruning than growing They definitely have some very different ideas here from the UK with regard to having babies, I find it quite scary!

Help ? I?d love a home birth but am not allowed my sis had one, thought it was fabulous

Daisy ? how are you feeling? A little less low? Hope so let?s hope they have no more tests lined up for me but I know that I have the Strep B on to look forward to, again, standard and everyone gets it. Hope your bloods are good Love the cartoon what a lovely dress

MIL is collecting my new buggy on Thurs must order the carrycot before I run out of time

DH told me he had a potential name for the baby today ? Xisca ? I think not!!!

Incidentally all 6 of us ladies having the GTT today were expecting girls, isn?t that odd??

mrsmcjnr & naat - managed to get the pregnancy photos on my profile now so you should be able to see them.

I am interested to know:
How would you like your bump photographed?
Which angle are you most proud of?
What do you find yourself doing, patting it, cuddling it, resting your hands on it?
If you were to have a photo of your bump, and in a few years time looking back, what do you think you would most love to have captured (a) the sheer size of it (b) the beauty of the shape (c) your silhouette (d) anything else?
Would you like your face in it or prefer the bump alone?
What about humourous photos - if I were to put a message on your tummy, what would it say?
What images have you seen of pregnancy that you really liked?

Anyone else who would like to give me your ideas towards my second pregnancy bump photo session, let me know and I'll give you access to the page.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

Can't see them Daisy can you adjust the settings? will think about your questions overnight if I may but have to say as my bump is covered in bruises from my injections I'm not sure I'd want to see a photo of it

Daisy I can't find anything on your profile but will check again tomorrow - the project sounds great.

Naat I went to a birth centre for DD and had a great water birth. - having started NCT classes assuming I'd have the baby in hospital, the more I learned the more I developed an interest in home birth, but didn't know anyone who'd had one, so it was a perfect halfway house - not at all medical but still not my front bedroom! Then I had DS at home and good job too because I wouldn't have had enough time to get anywhere. My 2 sisters who've given birth since me have opted for home 3 times - if you know someone close for whom it's worked it really does make it a less scary prospect. But if you are a little fearful, which is only natural, why not plan for the birth centre especially as it sounds lovely and calming.

lauraloo glad you've signed off and can have a good rest.

Mrsmc what a gorgeous dress! However, I'm already twice the size of that model so not sure I'd be able to carry it off quite so well

I'm so tired now I'm off to snuggle up with Humphrey Cushion. Night night x

morning all

decided to come into work today as I have aquanatal at 10 this morning. Going to see midwife at the class as the pains in my legs have came back and I now have a dull ache across my pelvic area and top of thighs Want to get her advice before I decide about time off. DH was angry with me that I came in this morning but hey may as well get on with it

daisy that sounds like a good project, one thing I wish I did was take photos of my ever growing bump, seems no point now being nearly 27 weeks...cant believe only 13 more to go

helpivegotto - I've had a hb too and like others have said I'm quite happy to chat about it, I had ds1 in hosp with 6 hr discharge and then ds2 at home, I have to confess the hosp birth was lovely too mainly because I was 'allowed' to leave soon after and get waited on hand and foot at home by dh, I disliked the idea of being away from him and family support. I opted for hb second time round as ds2 was due week before xmas and I didn't want to potentially be away from ds1 and family over christmas - either way it was a lovely experience and am planning one again.

littlesarah lovely top and dress is beautiful, I'm off to have a scout round ebay to see whats around I might try and borrow next books in series then rather than buying them in case I get annoyed by Bella too! I can see how her charater could be like that

bigcar they do grow up way way to fast, ds1 is due to start nursery at local school after easter but I'm still at work till mid may and then I think its too lose to baby arriving to start him after half term, going to wait till september but more than a little daunted by having all 3 at home with me!

tibsy it looks like another sunny day here so def aiming for reading in sunshine with my lunch

ineedmore glad that the surgery went so well, I guess they'll be a period of adjustment for fil whih will be hard even tho he knows its the best option

naat birthing centre sounds great, I don't think it matters where you are to give birth as long as its where you want to be, makes sure a difference to be completely in control of your location

daisy can't see your photos but very interested in it, I'm considering having some done as this will probably be my last pregnancy but I don't know how to find a photographer, where do you start?

laura great news about being able to sign off 'easily' hope you get the rest you need

not much happening here, went for another walk last night as my back and hips where killing me after day sitting at computer, yet again boys slept thro! hurray! will now become a regular thing in spider household I think!

Morning, ladies!

Daisy I can't see the profile page either It says you don't have one or that I'm not allowed to see it hehe. Love the project!

Ermin, how lovely you had good experiences at home . I guess this time around I'll go for the BCentre and then next time I hope I'm not in the middle of a moving process and I can plan it at home . The BCentre does sound lovely, we have a tour booked on 29th March.

Lauraloo, good that you're going to see a MW at the aquanatal class and will be able to ask her some questions. you're thinking about the time off, it def. sounds like you need it...

MrsMc re. bottles, thank you for your advice . re. your "waking up to everyone looking at you at the Hypnob" OH! And Xisca? Tell your hubby "No no no" hahahaha. We're such a mess with names... every week we change our minds!!! Poor baby, she might be born and have no name yet

I have a dentist appt today at noon, just a check-up, fortunately... It's veeeery cloudy here, looks like rain might be visiting today

HOpe you all have good morning, ladies (waves)

mrsmj how do you even say Xisca? and yes mini boden is v v expensive but they have great sales and since I'm potentially having 3 boys they'll get their wear out of them... still regretting not finding out at scan!

Good morning all!

Well, holiday here in N. Ireland, thanks to St Patrick. I'm off this week anyway, but DH is home, so we're doing a spring cleaning around here!

I am feeling some better, but not great!

Daisy you don't appear to actually have a profile. I'd like to see the pics as well!

ermintrude and insy I wish I could have a homebirth, but with my diabetes, just not an option. My only option is hospital with a consultant. Don't like not having a choice, but glad the best care will be right there!

As for names, we have tentatively agreed on April or Alice for a girl (might have to flip a coin) and Jonathan for a boy! Of course that will probably all change next week.

Morning ladies!

Sorry have been ?offline? ? had my cousin visiting and couldn?t get to the computer for my much much-loved MN time! How I missed it! Apologies in advance as I will no doubt miss things and mix things up...

I had my 28 week check up yesterday, and the MW was nice (although voice like Foghorn Leghorn ? literally booming!). Baby is normal sized (not sure I am!) w good little heart beat. Although the sleep situation is not good at the moment. Seem to wake and be full of beans at 5am, then nod off at about 7am to then awake w DH and be dragging my sorry self around all day.

Laura - adorable baby photos from your 4D scan ? congratulations! Love that she got cross! And HAPPY belated birthday!

Loouise - excellent news re the baby father ? sounds like a really good, modern relationship.

June - congratulations on your Golf! I have car , such a neat stylish car. I am with you on the cost of Next baby clothes. I had a voucher so bought baby clothes there, but am a complete ebay addict for BNWT baby clothes. Got the most beautiful Monsoon angora cardi w detachable fur collar for 4 squid, RRP of 28 squid. Sounds like MrsMcJnr has the same idea! REALLY glad MJ tickets did not go to your SIL and BIL. The cheek of them!!

MrsMcJnr - ah, lovely that you had a nice date w your DH on Sat night. You have nightly Horlicks, I have Milo ? am almost through my 2nd family tin! Cheers to that! Fantastic news that you found an apartment you really like! Imagine that Galaxy was perfection after your very long hospital appointment! And am def with you on NO to ?Xisca?! My DH wanted to name our baby Atlas if he was a boy ? NO WAY.

Ineed - LOL at being overtaken by an OAP! Did you get a look at the trolley, though, I really want one! Good for the groceries... I hear you and ermintrude on the weight front ? have put on 10kg and while still in my normal size maternity jeans, they are definitely not as roomy in the thighs or butt as they should be! Excellent news re your FIL recovering well from his op! And must be terrific to be completing your front garden ? enjoy!

choccie - a very HAPPY belated birthday! Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday, what a lovely DH to buy you a fab new bag!

dreamy - I am w you on the fatigue front, too. Its not much fun, is it?!

Insy - congrats on the successful bed transition! Hilarious that its a cheap, Noddy bed that your little DS just loves ? he sounds adorable!

tibsy and naat - v impressed w your house cleaning efforts ? you are wonder women! Naat - hearing about your hypnobirthing is making me v impatient for Amazon to hurry up and bring me my CDs!!! Esp since it sounds like I am in for some v nice pats and massages from DH. All for the good of the baby, of course!

LittleSarah - v at your DH buying you that foxy IO top ? its really beautiful!! The column dress is also stunning ? hope you can get it! (ebay?), the IO pieces are amazing, aren?t they?!

Dasiy - Picchu pieces are gorgeous, too! I now have another maternity clothing love... Great cartoons, you are really talented! Good news that WW3 is at an end, and that you are happy w how you strong you were in battle.

Bigcar - sounds like you and I are about the same w our ?care? of woollens!

Tee - good to hear you are feeling a bit better. Am hoping to send you some lovely London sunshine in case that helps, and enjoy St Patrick?s Day!

Hello everyone else! [waves] Hope your weeks are off to a good start! The weather here is heavenly and can?t wait to get out and about in it!

It's my turn to not be able to keep up with the thread

We had a good weekend too, sil's bday went very well but I think having people round totally drains me. I had to take the afternoon off yesterday as I could not keep awake.

We booked our 4D scan for Sunday and I can't wait, laura did you have a full bladder with babybond when you went? I hope mine is as clear as yours

It's such a busy week and I'm feeling all emotional and tired today, not having great night sleeps either. Is this what the third trimester is like all along? I'm going to start taking my vitamins again (sanatogen pro natal), they seemed to really work.

daisy can't see your profile either, sounds like a fun project

bunny I got my angelcare nappy disposal yesterday Steriliser should come this week sometime. Thanks again for the links!

Tee Happy Saint Patrick's day, it's a big thing in Ireland isn't it

Hello everybody else, I will try and catch up when work is over, if I can keep my eyes open by then ;)

Re: home births, I think it would be more of an option if I knew anyone who had done it etc, I didn't really consider it. I really want to go to the birth centre instead of the hospital though. All depends on my GTT on thursday now, fingers crossed for me please.
I think dh would have been too worried about the parquet floor he put in himself to allow a home birth ;) He's already given me strict instructions not to have my waters break on the floor, LOL.

morning all

helpive, i've also had a homebirth and can thoroughly recommend it, so much more relaxed and a guaranteed 2 midwives for the delivery! I don't have the option this time , they are building a mlu on part of the delivery unit at the moment but it won't be ready for June so no doubt everything will be a total mess, something else to worry about!!!!

June, fingers crossed for thursday

tee, I wanted Alice for dd3, dh wasn't so keen so it's her middle name now! Glad to hear you're feeling a little better, don't over do it today

Insy, it could work out better for you having 3 at home, at least you won't have the pressure of doing the school run twice a day Hope fully we'll get a good summer and you can have plenty of trips to the park instead, great for knackering los out

Ineed, glad fils op went well, his new eating regime sounds tough but I guess he'll get used to it pretty quickly. Has he got to have chemo or radiotherapy, or is this the last step of the treatment? Here's hoping he gets off hdu soon

It's lovely and sunny here today (sorry naat!) it's so nice to get some fresh air through the house after having everything tightly shut over the winter.

daisy, couldn't see your photos either. Fwiw I wouldn't be after a demi moore shot (too many stretch marks amongst other things!) . I'm not sure front on photos really allow a good view of the bump but the ones we all have of ourselves standing side on don't look the most natural, guess that's the skill of a good photographer! I think I would probably say I rub or stroke my bump, especially when los having a good wriggle, or if i'm sat down having a cuppa, resting my cup on the top Looking back in a few years time, I think I would like to see that look of happiness and expectation as well. I wouldn't go for a humorous shot, but that's probably just me being an old fart Have you thought about doing a package like some do for babys first year? Maybe 3 or 4 photos taken over the 9 months so you can see the change in shape and size. Just don't offer a belly shot for after delivery whatever you do

Hope that's some help!

It's funny hearing the amount of home births on this thread! If we compared our average to the very low national rate I'm sure we'd come up far higher. Tis about 2 per cent in Edinburgh I know, and not much better nationally.

Well, tis my last day at work! Can't believe I've made it so far, very happy, especially considering it started as a summer job. (Plus big bonus is getting maternity pay of course). To be honest have very little to do so been doing some dissertation work...

MrsMcJnr - That dress is gorgeous, oh if I had the money... daisy5 - your dress is beautiful too, I saw that while looking for ball dresses and was tempted. I will definitely be buying second hand off ebay for mine ermintrude as there seems a good selection. Or I may have a wee gander at the hire place you mentioned.

Bunnymother - Glad the check went well, I went to docs yesterday to get my safe to fly certificate and he took my blood as I was there. No other measurements though, will have to wait til I see MW in two weeks.

Daisy - What are your questions re bumps about? Think I've missed it! I would like a pic like the one of Diane Keaton in The Family Stone (and can I be as gorgeous as her please?)!

Tee - All good names, I love April in particular! I think we may have Maeve if we have a girl... still Alexander or Finlay at the mo for a boy.

I must book some sort of class for dh to come to for birth prep! Honestly he is so laid back partly because he just is and because I've done it before and as it went smoothly he thinks it's going to be a breeze. He has no idea! I looked into NCT and they only have short courses I didn't fancy, but there is another centre I must phone! Too forgetful.

Insy I'm happy to send you second book, am totally done with it!

June - Good luck with 4d scan, am sure it'll be amazing.

Naat - Ooh the dentists, so need to go, argh!

Hello to everyone else!

bunnymother I'm learning the cheaper and more garish the things the more my ds loves them, but thats children all over isn't it!

bigcar I'm still aprehensive about getting them all out of the house to play groups and stuff, if I spend all day at home on my own with them I'll go mad, fingers tighly crossed for a good summer!
why can't you have a hb this time?

june hope gtt goes well and you can give birth where you want to

have people decided on names??

littlesarah I'll have the book off you I'll CAT you if I can to give you my address if thats ok??