Due May 2009 We're Nesting and Napping, Squeezing and Holding

[FiKelly]

here we go

Oh - and chocbunnies I felt EXACTLY the way you do when I had DS1. The solution for me was to totally pack our week with activities - Monday we had little ducklings swimming in the morning and he'd nap for a good few hours in the afternoon, Tuesday we had a playgroup in the morning and we'd stop at the park on the way home if it wasn't raining, Wednesday we had mini movers baby gymnastics in the morning, two hours for a nap & lunch then playgroup in the afternoon, Thursday playgroup in the morning and Friday a different playgroup then park on the way home.

It meant that DS was shattered every single night and went to bed pretty early, it also meant that any naughtiness was confined to places that I didn't need to clear up afterwards and just getting away from the four walls in the house was a massive boost to my mental health. I know it's not always practical to have that level of activity but I really found the benefits outweighed the negatives, especially because DS was less likely to play up if he had cohorts.

looby blottedcopybook makes a good suggestion. But please do not be upset if the dietary changes you make do not control your sugars. It does not mean you are doing anything wrong, it just means that your body is not producing enough insulin because of your pregnancy, not anything that you are doing.

Oh! Yes, TOTALLY what llare said. I should mention that it's not anything I'm doing with regards to my diet, it's my body's reaction to it. Sometimes that's just not enough for some people and I know I'm very lucky not to need supplementary insulin at this point.

Happy mothers' day everyone!

My day started lovely with a lie in 'til after 9! I only got up, because baby was demanding some nutrition!

Sorry to hear that some of you aren't feeling all that happy at the moment. I've got my moments, but haven't been bursting into tears or anything. In fact ever since my acupuncture and the GP prescribing me slightly stronger pain relief I've been feeling better than ever.

looby Even though I'm a mw, I don't know all that much about it as I don't work on the diabetic ward. Still, I do know that any impaired GTT's with us to get an appointment with the specialist mw in the same week. That 2 week wait does seem long, especially at this stage, so maybe you could get in touch with your ante natal clinic in hospital and query it, just tell them you're worried.
As far as I know GD wont really harm baby. It just might be bigger than average and that might struggle to maintain it's own blood sugars for the first few days of life and so will be monitored for that after birth. However, once you've got your diet and excercise sorted and those blood sugars under control, then you've done everything you possibly can to help yourself and your baby. Llareggub knows how you're feeling, so you're lucky to have her here for support and advice

fi I completely understand your house hunting troubles. Schools are such a worry aren't they. DH and I are still debating which school to choose down there in faraway Kent.

Gert2a that info about the Value Addes Score is very helpful. Do secondary schools get those as well and are they in the Ofsted report or on the Dfes page? My SIL told me that we need to keep in mind local secondary schools too when deciding upon where to live in Kent and I suppose she's right.

Looby when I had DS they suspected that I had undiagnosed GD so treated DS as if I had definitely had it. They took his blood sugar every couple of hours or so, and that was that! He was absolutely fine, if a little on the large side. You'd never know it now though, he still has pairs of 12 month shorts that fall down his skinny waist, even at 2.5 years! Why do they make childrens clothes so oddly sized?

He was jaundiced but that it is pretty common, isn't it? I'd definitely ring to see if you can get an appointment if you can. I went onto insulin pretty quickly, and I really, really restricted my food intake and monitored my diet. I think it was a week or something. My insulin requirements are pretty stable now, though.

Afternoon all. Just back from my PIL and the 4D scan of LO this morning.

The scan was really nice- LO was asleep (or at least eyes were closed) but he was moving lots too. Got a DVD, CD of photos and printout of about 10 photos. HOWEVER can't get the CD to open and the scanner is up 2 flights of stairs (and i'm nice and comfy on the sofa with both DC asleep- a rare treat!) so can't post any photos yet!

chocbunnies- i enjoyed the scan - we got a good look at DS2 and decide who we thought he looked like- we both thought he looked more like DS1 than DD but the consultant thought he took after me, and DS1 takes after DH, so who knows lol... It lasted about 20 mins so we got a good look, but afterwards, it turned out we were both getting a bit bored as it was just more of the same!. We got his sex confirmed (definite boy), and he was measuring around 32 weeks (i'm 30+6) so probably another 8lb-er the consultant thought. So really, I can't advise one way or the other whether its worth it! In some ways, it feels like it takes some of the surprise out of it all, but i think i imagined him being like DS1 anyway...and now when he moves, i can imagine him inside me. And we definitely thought he looked cute (but we're biased of course!)

pula your 4d scan sounded great

I have rung my cmw but she's away on 2 weeks holiday so I rang the antenatal clinic at the hospital and the mw there suggested I get an apointment at the day assessment clinic tommorrow to talk things thro
However she was really busy - someone was on the point of giving birth (I think they were short staffed) so she said she'd ring me back. I rang at 10am so think I'll wait till 3 then give them another call?

Thanks to everyone for all the reassurance - much appreciated

pula sounds like your 4D scan was a nice experience. On one hand I'd love to see a more detailed image of my lo, but on the other hand I don't want it bad enough to be willing to pay for it, so I can't work out whether I need to be jealous or not . I just can imagine it must be a bit weird to see lo almost like he's real. Not that he isn't, but those scans always look like photos don't they?

I've put my support belt in the wash today and it's horrible to feel like my pelvis is sagging all the time now. I just felt that after 2 weeks it was time to give it a wash! It had become more itchy than usual and I think a good wash will sort it out.

My DH has just gone to drop off stepdaughter at her mums and has told me to go and rest - cos I keep feeling a bit dizzy (prob did too much yesterday & the not sleeping so well).

However he has moved the furniture around in our bedroom for me so I can fit the moses basket and cupboard for baby stuff in, so I can't resist - I'm going to have to put it together and sort through some babygrows and bits for the baby first . Does seem really strange seeing it next to our bed.

And what lovely weather still. Have managed to supervise the moving of some plants and pots in the garden and have made 40 paper pots for the sweet peas, etc to go in.

Afternoon all,

Didn't expect to be online again today, should be at the spa right now. But felt a little too 'wet' this morning down below so rang the hospital for advice and they asked me to go in. Baby was monitored and had an examination. Swab taken, but doctor felt that all looked healthy and my membranes were in tact. Back home now whilst my two best friends are still at the spa. It's not a bad thing as I am exhausted and sitting with my feet up and being quiet at home is probably the best thing for me.

Belgain - have a look at www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/index.shtml for the Contextual Value Added Scores for schools.

Thanks Gert2a for that link. It's been quite useful. It's still difficult to decide upon a school half way across the country though!
I'm happy to hear that your dampness was a false alarm, shame of missing the spa day though, but of course it's better to make sure you're all OK. I've been a bit wetter lately, but I keep getting flair ups of thrush, so I think it's related. I ran out of 'lactacid femina' wash, so I have a feeling that's related. Will have to go to Boots for some tomorow.

Hello,

Well the CD from the 4d scan opens on my PC so i've attached one photo to my profile! Looks like he's smiling...

Happy mother's Day all ! Had a lovely day starting with the girls, homemade cards and coffee in bed. then went out with friends and their children for a picnic. now sitting with my feet up next to dd1 having Quiet Time.

looby, did you ring back and get appt?

Pula, amazing scan photo! must have been/be so exciting.
can't wait to see my lo!

nice pic pula momino the hospital rang me back. They confirmed that I do have GD and have booked me in to talk it through with the mw at the day assessment clinic tommorrow at 3.30.

the mw I spoke to agreed that 2 weeks with no idea what to do re: changing diet etc. was too long to wait as I'm 34 weeks already.

Happy Mothers day!!!
I had a lovely home made card from Anabel and the childminder and DH made me breakfast in bed which was a treat. Then DH and Anabel went off to the tip to get some compost while I had a bath and shaved my legs for the first time in months .
We then spent the day in the garden, me sitting in the sun and directing DH and doing about half an hour of weeding, DH pruning, replanting, mowing and tidying and Anabel eating bulbs and dirt and snails!!! She had great fun and then we had a BBQ lunch.

Fi I'm a teacher at an outstanding school (got it 12 months ago)but it was basically failing about 6 years ago and had a bad rep and undersubscribed but had new head and deputy and lots of hard work has changed it. We also have very good value added. What I am saying is that in the 2 or 3 years leading up to the ofstead report it was a great school (but with a bad rep) and anyone visiting there would see that. I would recommend visiting schools and going with where you feel more happy with as ofstead is only one way to measure a good school. Your gut will tell you if you are happy for DS to go there. Hope that helps not sure I have explained it right.

That's what dh and I did this week. We visited both schools, but they're non the wiser, because our gut instinct tells us both are good in different ways. On top of that we've got 2dcs to sort and school 1 seemed perfect for dd and school 2 perfect for ds. Now how do you decide in this sort of situation, hey? Whatever decision we make, 1 of the dcs wont be in a school that we feel is perfect for them. Dd being the more resilient child it will probably be her, but we're still debating.

I can really tell what a difference that belt makes now it's in the wash. It's evening and by now I can't walk without my crutches .

Looby I'm glad you had an understanding mw on the phone today. Glad it's sorted. 2 weeks at this stage really was too long to leave you in the dark.

Pula what a lovely picture. Lo looks so peaceful!

yep I'm glad I can talk to the MW tommorrow about the GD belgianchoc I'll know what I'm dealing with then

We find out later this month what school DD will go to. We decided to move house a couple of years ago mainly for schools- not sure it matters that much at primary level, but we didn't like the local secondaries. So we moved to a good catchment area which basically means houses cost £100k+ more just because of this. We visited the local schools and liked them both so it was tough to decide which one to rank 1st. I know how others feel about deciding on schools because it does have such an impact on your children's social development and education. Not an easy task...

belgian- yes i like that photo because LO does look so peaceful and content- its a bit of a con though as he was wriggling around throughout the scan and probably a bit fed up everytime the consultant gave him a jiggle to get him to move around!

pulapula wow your scan picture is lovely. I am tempted in a way myself but also fancy just waiting until BDay to see who our little girl looks like...

Gert2a thanks for the link i didn't know about it and it will really help.

Visiting the schools is a good idea too... for some reason I didn't think about it before as ds is only 2.5yrs !

Had the tour of the central delivery suite at our different hospital of choice this afternoon. It's clean modern and much better equipped than our previous hospital. There are even bedside telly/phone things in the labour rooms! Somehow I don't think i'll be that bothered about them though?! All in all less threatening than last one and so glad we pushed to be able to go there

Looby- so glad you called and got an appointment for tomorrow- I hope they give you all the information you need- maybe have a list of questions written down as I know I always forget what I want to ask my MW at my regular appointments, so there must be so much you want to ask.

lol Pula. Amazing how something looking so peaceful could actually have been so active!
We're looking at secondary schools too during our search, both those primary schools we're looking at feed the same comprehensive and grammar schools and luckily they're all very good, so we're not too worried about them. It's just such an important decision finding the right school. It will determine their future. Who knows even the job they'll end up chosing!

fi we've got those tellies in our ds and you're right: no one ever uses them. To be fair, last thing I wanted to do when I was in labour was watching telly, I was too busy sucking the gas and air

You know, my ribs (right side) have been aching non stop for the last 2 days. I really hope lo shifts a bit soon, because I can't imagine having to walk around for another 7 weeks with aching ribs. I've told DH that I expect sex every day in about 5 weeks time: this baby is NOT going overdue! I'm too uncomfortable. And I'll start on the raspberry leaf tea too in a few weeks time. Both of those things got me going before, I'm sure it'll work again this time!

When I was in labour (well, I got to 2cm dilated at least!) before my c-section, the midwife wheeled in a TV and put on 2 Bollywood films back-to-back. It really was the most bizarre experience of my life, because what with the drugs and the lack of sleep, I got the two story lines completely muddled!

Channel 4 are showing the "Great Sperm Race" on Monday. I'm pretty sure I watched something similar when pregnant with DS and I remember getting quite emotional at how amazing conception and human life really is.

lol belgian i'll be with you on the gas and air! The tour was quite funny in a way for me and dh as i quickly realised that we were the only couple who had a child already. Pretty much all the couples asked no questions and spent most of the tour looking like a startled deer trapped in the headlights IYKWIM. Whereas I wanted to know how the bed manouvered into different positions to hold onto/lean off, whether cd players were available in all rooms for my natal hypnotherapy cds, whether all rooms like the one we saw had baths and if the blinds/lighting were all dimmable etc. What the wards were like and how many people were in each room and the cost of the private rooms (more reasonable than we thought). I'm hoping i didn't freak any of the other pregnant ladies out with my queries.. Hopefully my asking the questions will have helped and not scared them?! One of the few queries asked by the other ladies was how good the soundproofing in the rooms was... if she could be heard by other people if she got loud. The lady giving us the tour tactfully replied she wouldn't be heard by other labouring women next door but probably by anyone in the hallway. She looked horrified at that prospect.