Due in June 2009: The final quarter - packing our bags and remembering to squuueeeeeeezzeeeee!..

[Ineedmorechocolatenow]

Here it is!

Baby must have been having a lie in, because lots of movement now!! I still don't get really strong kicks that often, but definitely feel it a lot, so I've stopped worrying!

Tee - Glad you're getting a bit more movement!

Just saw active disussions; homebirth hopes - spoilt and complacent? Ha! Am furious just looking at the title, think I shall not go anywhere near it!

Also, looked at photos of me this time last pregnancy and was much smaller. I mean I'm not huge this time but far more compact then. I know it is to be expected but... boo.

Hi all,

Not been around for a couple of weeks as BT have still not properly fixed our service, however they have sorted our temporary line out ( at the expense of one of our neighbours in the village, who we had crossed lines with last week! >)

On top of all that dd2 has been quite ill, she's been on different antibiotics for the past 6 weeks and over the weekend deteriorated quite badly ( I was getting up at 0400 to do chest physio so she could sleep easier ) She also managed to transfer the infection to her eyes and ended up with conjunctivitis, and was waking and shouting becasue her eyes were too gunked up to open. Spoke to the Cystic Fibrosis team on monday and we all agree she needed IV antibiotics, so she was booked in for wednesday for a General to get a line in, dh stayed with her last night in the hospital (z beds not good for me anymore!)and we picked them up this evening. Fortunately I was a nurse in a former life so doing all the drugs doesn't bother me that much but the hospital have got her on a rota which ends at midnight......way way late for me!!! so over the next few doses I have to tweak things to get back to my 10 o'clock bed time.

To top it all my parents have been in Scotland with both dsis's and don't seem to take onboard how poorly she can get ( or don't want to !!!) they are planning to move to scotland soon and have said they will fly down to help with stuff we we need help if Lydie's admitted but this just makes me think we really can't rely on that! Dh's mum does take it on board but is a little too much the other way, and we worry about upsetting her ( she also lives overseas for 6 months of the year) am feeling a leeeetle sorry for myself and the dd's who both struggle when dd2 is ill.

To top it all I have to get an objection to a planning application for an openwindrow composting site to be a started just up the road from our house ( massive (life limiting) problem for certain bacteria (aspergilius) with compost and CF) so have to get a V good case against it (especially as the farmer planning it is a local councillors son!

Sorry it's such a me me me me me post just needed a vent. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up in a better frame of mind tomorrow ( yes thank you the t*at who phoned my phone at 2.42 this morning (and then insomnia kicked in for 2 hours!!!)

And breathe, this is where the wine used to come in handy

Oh my lord Doris, I've just logged on and only had time to read your thread, didn't want you to go unanswered...you poor, poor thing! I'm afraid as a first-timer I have absolutely no advice or experience to share with you, only to wish your dd2 a super quick recovery and to hope you're getting all the support you need.

You still sound so amazingly upbeat, despite all this, which makes me think you must have been a fantastic nurse and are a fabulous mum.

Really hope you get some rest tonight, that dd and dh are home soon and your planning application kicks arse! Keep breathing, keep the phone off the hook and keep venting!

Hello everybody else, hope you're all well, will catch up properly soon...in the midst of helping out with darling friend's funeral so it's pretty full on (and bleak)...hope you're all ok xx

my goodness doris you've had a hell of a time recently, so sorry to hear about dd2 and what's been wrong with her like looouise said i hope dd2 and dh is home soon from hospital and i hope she gets better soon too! Good luck with the objection to the planning application hope you win

loooouise been thinking about you for a while and how you have been since your friend's death, hopefully you're ok and keeping busy x

well can't sleep was cleaning toilet yesterday and i think being on hands and knees scrubbing a bath and toilet and the toilet flor hasn't done wonders for my hips and have been in agony since not to mention dh's snoring is unbelievable so think i'll just go and clean the dishes that i forgot to do last night (hoe sad am i doing dishes at 5.30am!!

Oh doris - I think we should put your forward for Mumsnet Mum of the Year. I can see why you need a glass of wine once in a while. I think I would need a mobile drip to cope with all that you do. I'm busy on our old computer reading all the things I wrote when dd was born and under my Travelling with Children story the last section was entitled 'Someone Else is Always Having a Tougher Time than you'....and it sounds like you are having a tough time. Big hugs to you.

Before our move north and to a new computer, I downloaded all photographs onto a mobile hard drive. Two weeks ago, this blew up and I thought I had lost all baby photos. Thankfully, half an hour ago on our old computer I discovered all the baby photos there, so what I have lost is all my professional and travel photography from the past few years (unless the people trying to fix my hard drive manage to). The lesson here is 'wish I had also burnt them onto DVD's' as it is so dreadful to think of loosing all the baby photos.

Do back up just in case your computer gets a virus or erases your hard drive.

Doris - you really do have so much to deal with, yet manage to log on and deal with these difficult things in such a positive manner; how strong you are. I also hope the planning application goes well - can you google to see any examples? Can you get any supporting evidence from DD2's doctor or anyone else who is qualified ie extracts of research papers etc? I would hope that by clearly showing that the bacteria this proposed development will create is potentially life threatening for DD2, backed up w any/all evidence you can, this development would be stopped. Even if the council aren't terribly caring, its still a v serious risk issue (ie could attract significant libaility). Sorry if I sound over the top, but have you thought of speaking to a lawyer about this? If nothing else, it could help you be more certain about the process, your rights and what you need to do.

Good morning.

Sorry to hear about your troubles doris. Hope everything works out okay.

Set a personal record last night for 5 trips to the loo, followed by about 1/2 an hour of baby kicking. Not the most restful night ever!

ooh Doris, lots of hugs your way and best wished for dd to get better really soon. I hope your background is helping you cope with it, it is easy to get anxious about medical stuff, especially when pg.
You parents probably just don't realise what you are going through at the moment.

Do you have other neighbours who can also oppose the planning?

louise lots of hugs your way as well, I hope you're keeping well.

laura I have problems sleeping too and keep turning round because of pain in my hips.

Got a question about cramps They were mentionned here a little while ago and I think someone said try and drink some sparkling water (was it?) before going to bed.
I keep getting cramps at night, I can usually feel it coming and stop it before it hurts but I can feel them getting stronger/more painful now and really don't know what to do.
The mw at Nhs classes helpfully said "we don't know why pg women are getting them and we don't know what to do about it."

bigcar thanks for clearing up the vests and stuff, I did not realise you put both on. Now I understand why they sell the tiny sleeveless vests in pack of 7 or 10.
Saw some cellular blankets on amazon (3 for a tenner or something).

The day started with getting a congestion charge penalty notice - we'd lent the car to sil because hers was broken down so she could go shopping...I know this happens, it has happenend to me but when you borrow someone's car surely you make extra sure you don't get tickets.

Busy busy day ahead of me chasing people who owe us money (not my favorite job in the world.)

Hi all,

Thank you for the support, had some sleep last night and now in a MUCH better place!!!!

-DD2 has picked up loads today and is bobbing around as she usually does...

-We have internet conection still (and BT phoning every 5 minutes to check everything is ok ( I was phoning them everyday so guess their just returning the favour )

-Also had an email through this morning and we have our choice of primary school for DD1 (out of catchment in the next village)

-Oh and the sun is shinning

All in all a GOOD day

June I find tonic water better than sparkling for the cramps something to do with the quinnine in it i think.

louise I'm so sorry for your loss I was too tied up in my own dramas to say much yesterday, but I hope the funeral goes as well as can be hope and you get to celebrate bhaving had such a positive and vibrant person in your life.

tee I'm with you on the rubbish nights, but my problem is getting to sleep once I'm there, I wake for nothing and no one ( mostly!) but I gop past tired at about 10pm and then my mind just races.... I need to start my hypno birthing stuff again as that definitely helps

daisy really good point about the baby photos, we lost some of ours when we had a lightening strike not the baby baby ones but still, enough to be upset about ( the guys at the computer shop think they should be able to recover them (we just haven't got round to it yet!)( I'm not sure I want to know if they can't!)

Anyway I'm posting while I still have access, so will try to catch up properly later Hope you're all having GOOD days!!!

Doris - great to hear you are feeling better today. Sounds like today is one of those days that tips the scales the other way

Loouise - take care, and hope the funeral planning goes well.

Daisy - agree re backing up photos. DH accidentally deleted our travel photos (think they may be restored, but not sure and don't understand how). I have responded by buying monster hard drive and subscribing to Mozy so now we have 2 back up options. Was really upset to lose our photos.

My darling sister has booked me in for a loong session at a beauty spa in Mayfair on Tuesday - am sooo lucky to have such a sister! Will have to get her a lovely thank you present - its so generous!!

Hope the rest of you Juners are having great days!!

Hello Juners!!!

I'll try to catch up now

Doris Glad to hear your DD2 is feeling better... You really sound like Mum of the year, lady!, as Daisy said. I also hope the planning application goes well... it does sound like something dangerous and it shouldn't be allowed under any circumstances... It's outrageous that people have to actually protest in order to stop such things from taking place when it's so obvious it's dangerous

Tee hope you can get a better rest tonight.

Looouise Thinking of you, honey.

littleS I also saw the thread (but didn't go in) AND read the article yesterday... no comments

june I'm also getting some cramps at night. Great answers you're getting from those MWs It's like when they, as well as doctors, say they don't know what causes colics and therefore, don't know how to cure them...

daisy I really hope the computer guys manage to get your pics back! It's sooooo frustrating when that happens (and of course we get angry at ourselves for not backing up, but well...) Glad you have your baby pics, though

Hi laura and bunny!!

London is cloudy but not cold so I can't complain Things at the embassy went great, thankfully. Now we just have to enjoy the weekend here Baby is kicking like a lunatic and my pelvic pain is not good so I'll definitely ask my MW on Wed to refer me to a physiotherapist.

Hope everyone is having a good day. I'll pop in later...

(((waves)))

Oh, forgot to say...

bunny lucky girl!!! a bit of at your spa gift Enjoy!!!!

Are any of you using the NHS pregnancy desktop planner here?
Just wondering if it is useful before I start downloading stuff on the computer, (not a big fan of pop up windows and such).

Never heard of it june. But I will check it out when I get home!

June - I'm downloading it now! On cramps I get them too! Sparkling water? Never heard of that but I would try it, mine are regular and pretty painful, up twice last night.

God, I'm so breathless these days, I'm always taking these massive deep breaths. Of course it's supposed to ease when baby engages in pelvis but typically with second/plus babies that doesn't happen until labour is pretty much a go!

Doris and Looouise - Both of you sound like you are coping so well with tough situations, I'm thinking about you.

Bunny - What a fab gift! Oooh, I'd love that!

Naat - Enjoy London, horrible and cloudy in Edinburgh too, hoping it will cheer up so, it's been oppressively overcast for days!

Oh, Laura - get yourself to Edinburgh! Can't believe you've never been woman, I'll show you the sights!

littlesarah I'm breathless too, bending down to pick things up from the floor is a massive challenge. I got myself one of these dustpans with a long handle so that's quite convenient.
hey doris, that's it, tonic water...thanks for that!

Well im having a glass tonight, I'll let you know how I get on.

Im soo thirsty today, nothing can quench my thirst. What do you guys drink when you just neeeed something else than water?
I went through a phase of drinking Shloer, then Robinsons summer fruit, not sure how good these are for babies though, it's all very well saying it's no artifical flavours or sugar but it's got aspartame in.
I've had the odd glass of de-alcoholised wine (from asda) and found it quice nice.
I'd bought some decaf tea as well and went through a whole box!

Have a nice weekend eveyone!

hiya all - been a wee bit busy on here today

Was at midwife today and got my health in pregnancy form so sent it away today midwife measured my bump and i am currently measuring 32 weeks when i'm 31 here's hoping baby wont be too big!
News of SIL being pregnant again has sunk in and i suppose it wont be too bad, i mean my baby will have a relative round about her age which could be good for her! Also i now have an aquanatal buddy until June.

littlesarah DH is horrified that i've never been to edinburgh so he's off next week so going to go through next thursday for a day out really looking forward to it do you recommend anywhere to go/see/shops??

bunny so of your spa day but what a fab gift from sister

tee been the same as you over past few days with lack of sleep turning in bed really hurts my hips, then baby kicking ribs waking me up and toilet trips goodness me i feel like I go through a 12 round boxing match everynight...not that i mind tho

naat sorry your pain isn't easing you should def see midwife about it esp for a referral to a physio which should help with your pain

june i haven't been able to quench my thirst for weeks, i have been going through diluting juice like crazy, is that stuff not good for baby's? I used to go through about 2 litres of diet coke a day but since i fel pregnant i stopped drinking that, nothing really works for me at moment

looouise & doris still thinking of you guys and everything you're going through at the moment

mrsmcjnr hope the move is going good

A big hello to everyone else I have missed x

For those of you who are very thirsty, the very best thing you can drink is water. Put a slice of lemon in it if plain water is too icky!

Also, have you been checked for GD? Because extreme thirst is one of the signs. Of course, I am also very thirsty, and my diabetes is under control, so probably just being pregnant!!

6am in the morning and busy burning DVD's of photos! Lesson learnt. Then I have to pack the car with the cot and tonnes of baby things to take north to our new home. Dp off on business trip for a week - leaving in a taxi soon, so I'm all alone on packing the car! I despair how it will all fit in - thankfully collecting my dear auntie on the way so there is help with unpacking at the other end.

bunnymother - what a wonderful treat. I won a gift voucher for a head massage at Christmas and have been saving it up for a moment when I really needed it and I think I will go this week.

laura - I lived in Edinburgh for a year and was just going through all Scottish folder yesterday - there are some lovely Art Galleries there if you are into that - I loved the Deans Gallery. Grovy bars littlesarah - is the Circle Bar still hip and happening....and there were some lovely places to hang out in Stockbridge. So much to see in Edinburgh - I must get back some time soon.

thirstytoo - I am bored bored bored with water. I just look at it and roll my eyes. I drink like a fish and it is still not enough. I seem to go through a liter in the night alone.

I'm shattered - this trip down to London has really taken it out of me. After this, I think I need to do some resting.

Hope you are all well. Thinking of your mrsmcjnr - your moving job much bigger than mine

doris - you really are a stellar woman.

naat - I dreamt I bumped into you in Mamas & Papas just as I was going into a fast labour!!!!!!!!

You are all so good drinking mainly water! I drink pretty much the same as before, minus alcohol. Juice, tea (less than before though), etc, unless my doc forbids something then I'll have it!

Laura - Lots to see and do in Ed. Not sure about the Circle Bar I admit but Stockbridge is lovely. It's near the Botanics too so great for a wander. The High Street is great with St Gile's Cathedral, wee museums (and obviously Palace and Castle too). Arthur's Seat lovely if the sun is shining! For food if you are on the High Street I'd check out Cafe Marina on Cockburn St (just off the High St) as it does gorgeous pasta, run by a woman called Marina Crolla, the Crolla's are very famous Edinburgh family with a number of different lovely restaurants. They started with fantastic deli/cafe called Valvona and Crolla. Anyway Marina's is the cheap and cheerful but still gorgeous version! Down in Stockbridge there is a lovely, reasonable Italian called Zanzero and a great gastro pub (very upmarket but nice) called Hamilton's (reviewed it this year), does great food. In town I love the Filmhouse, which is an art house cinema but also has a nice cafe with good food, just a lovely bustling atmosphere...

Anyway, better stop before I run on and on...

June - Let me know how you get on with the tonic water, I think I'll be giving it a go soon!

*littlesarah well I drank a glass of tonic water around 10pm and I did not have cramps during the night for the first time in weeks.
I'm going to keep it up and see if it really makes a difference or if it was a one off.
(thanks doris ;)

There are a few tips here, (like drinking milk is supposed to help too.)

This weekend is Greek Easter so we're having family round for food tomorrow afternoon.
Lots of preparing for that to do today.

What does my head in is that we've invited extra family for the special easter meal and none of them have yet said a definite yes or no, isn't that really rude? There's a big difference preparing/cooking for 5 or for 10.

I had lots of dreams last night, pretty restless night, same as laura and tee, hips/thirst/toilet visit keeping me up!

I did lots of cleaning/tidying up yesterday though which is nice. Still wondering where I am going to put all the baby clothes, we need a wardrobe or something (and another room to put the wardrobe in!!)

Well I'd better get on with some food shopping (it's gonna be packed isn't it).

Morning Juners!!!

Such a lovely day in London! Sunny and "warm" . Argentinian barbecue is in order today here.

Re. water: Yes, quite thirsty all the time but if I keep the water intake at 2lt a day I seem to be fine. I'm not having trouble with water itself, I did have that during the first weeks when the only thing that didn't seem to make me feel icky was sparkling water. Now the regular one seems to be fine, as long as it's cold.

Re. Edinburgh: what a lovely city! We spent new year's there in 07-08 and it was great. DH fell in love with it.

Daisy wow! what a dream! M&P and active labour is a tricky mix Hope the trip up north is smooth, great that you will have your auntie with you to help you.

LIttleS I also seem to have to gasp for air sometimes... Especially after climbing up the stairs for our flat.

June I went to the page of the NHS planner but didn't look at it much. How did you find it? Has anyone downloaded anything and tried it?

MrsMC hope we hear from you soon

Hello to everyone else!!! Have a lovely Saturday!!!

(((waves)))

Hi All!

Hope you all had lovely Saturdays!

I did so much walking around city centre today that I've just woken up from a 3 hour nap!! I think I over did it a bit!

littlesarah I can't catch my breath quite a lot, actually. Another fun 3rd trimester item!

june I've downloaded the planner, but, honestly, it isn't all that interesting! Some good articles, I guess, but not really sure of the point! Although it does keep nagging me to do my birth plan!

Hello all, I'm back from Northumberland, where we had a lovely time messing about on beaches and castles and I had lots of time to read and vegetate. Am not looking forward to school starting again on Mon .

I've whooshed thru the pages I've missed - very impressed with how well-organised everyone's getting, maybe some of it will rub off on me - and hope that everyone with health, family and technical problems can resolve them soon!

Thirst: I get through many bottles of soda water which for some reason I prefer to mineral water. More fizzy? Good burps anyway!

Breastfeeding tops: I bought some for DD and never wore them - the kind you poke your bozooms through a little slit in the front. I just liked to wear separates I could lift up and put baby underneath, with a strategically-positioned muslin square over my shoulder if in public. Wrapover dresses could end up gaping unless they're special b/feeding ones. Also, my bust went down to its pre-preg size after just a few weeks of having huge knockers, and I was back in normal sized tops then. But only ones which i could lift up easily - not fitted ones. If you're not shy, shirts with buttons are also easy for breastfeeding.