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

[Ineedmorechocolatenow]

Here it is!

evening all

i hope everyone had a good day
went back to aquanatal after 5-6 weeks off and god i am knackered, here's hoping i sleep tonight, only got around 1-2 hours last night

naat i have been unsure of what to wash the baby clothes with but think i'll go with fairy non bio powder and comfort pure conditioner.

doris glad your DD2 is better but what an awful scare thank goodness the usual doc was on call and helped her straight away

tee glad appointment went well and congrats on measuring right, i measured 32 weeks on friday when i was only 31 weeks.

dreamy & bigcar hope scans tomorrow go ok, please let us know how it goes will be thinking of you both x

Glad those on holiday had a great time and big waves and hugs to everyone I've missed x

insy cross post...can't believe the garage put your car through MOT last week and didn't spot the illegal tyres on your behalf. Glad you enjoyed getting your maternity shots done they will be lovely and what a memory they will be x

Hey girls I think Naat is right, there is no way I can catch up so I?ll just start from here hope I didn?t miss anything too juicy ? I did see that Jools is pregnant again I am so pleased for her! I am worried about StrawberrySam though, anyone seen anything of her on MN???

Had AN class on breastfeeding tonight. It was pretty good actually and better than anything I learnt pre-DS in the UK. She demonstrated a lot of the different positions, dispelled a lot of myths and generally gave sound advice (in my humble opinion). She also showed us EXACTLY how to do perineal massage, not on herself I hasten to add, but certainly none of us were left in any doubt, again better than the passing comment that was made at my NCT classes with DS. I didn?t do it more than a couple of times last time but I think I might give it more of a go this time. Anyone else??

Keep remembering snippets of newborn life and then panicking that I won?t remember how it?s all done

Not trying to make you all jealous but DS and I had a lovely time playing on the beach with my two nephews this morning they go back to the UK tomorrow

June - I agree, moving is quite good fun but I have to say I did overdo it and had to lie down on the floor for 45 mins or so on moving day as I was worried that there was going to be an unscheduled delivery, fine now though your plan sounds good and yes, you can use gas and air in the birthing pool. Have fun finding nice announcement cards Wish my DH could catch the nesting bug

Littlesarah ? if there isn?t an announcement site like you explain you should start one, it?s a great idea! I am enjoying the nesting I have to say

Bunnymother ? I cannot believe that a dad really sent that photo I think some men forget that what they are actually talking about (or showing people in that case) are his woman?s most intimate bits! Hope you had a fabulous time at the spa

Naat ? don?t feel guilty about the sleep, do it whilst you can and I can empathise on the pain, mine is so sore now I find rolling over really painful. It takes me an age to get moving once I have been sitting or lying down for a while. Thanks so much for checking my Spanish I?ll send it over to you. Sounds promising on the flat front for you, fingers crossed We keep getting calls from the letting agency for the old flat asking when we?ll have all our stuff out as they want to re-let I gave them a piece of my mind the other day, pointed out that the lease was up on 2 May and the overlap was for our benefit and not the owners? and that I thought it was despicable that they would let someone move into an unfurnished flat knowing full well it was about to be repossessed felt much better after I?d vented!! I used softener with DS and am using it again. Using Comfort Pure.

Ermintrude ? hey there! I am 33+5 and still waiting for my raspberry leaf tea to turn up!! LOL at that AIBU thread, some of them are crazy!

Ineedmore ? picnic sounded fun I know what you mean about the end being neigh, I remember panicking that time was going too fast at this point last pregnancy too but I was totally prepared by the time he finally turned up, let?s hope the same is true this time!!

Dreamy ? glad you had a lovely holiday, sounds fun sorry to hear about the pains hope all goes well at the day unit tomorrow I have been having lots of strong BHs too and some interesting cervical stabbing pains!

Tee ? great to hear all is going well take the weight thing with a pinch of salt, they can be 500g out either way which makes quite a difference! I?ve got a scan on Thursday too.

Bigcar ? hope all goes well at your scan tomorrow how big were your other babies?

Hey Doris, sorry to hear that you have been having a worrying time poor DD2 glad to hear she is home, I hope she is much better soon.

Insy ? so sorry to hear about all the car hassle! can?t wait to see your photos!

Laura ? hi you hope you get a better sleep tonight. How is work? How are you feeling?

Bed time for me, night all!

wow insy- you're much braver than me having you're photos done!!!

Glad you're car is sorted and grrrrrr at the garage for putting you in that position ( If you don't get anymore joy (think you should have got the full cost of the tyres) maybe a call to trading standards or whoever regulates the MOT's (??? sure it must be on the certs) to make sure this isn't a regular occurance, and they're not putting other peoples lives in danger!!!!

dreamy and bigcar - good luck tomorrow !!!

doris been on phone to DVLA about it, they are at fault for not issuing it as 'advisory' on the certificate but the DVLA have spoken to them and are happy to put it down to 'human error' we knew the tyres were low, they were at least honest about that, but did buy it thinking we could get another 5,000 miles out of it, they were basically on the limit, it was a very very borerline MOT pass, grrrr, its having the air con done today so at least thats something and have decided the dink on door, crap tyres and air con are my '3 things' (if things really come in 3's) so should be fine now

feeling very brave at mat shots now, can't believe I did them but glad I did, kind of want to show them to people in rl as really pleased with them but that would be weird imo! photographer printed a couple for me last night so I'll have to see if I can scan them tonight to at least show you guys

mrsmcj glad AN classes went well (am ignoring the fact you were or the beach yesterday ) I did perinenal massage last time (well dh did it as I couldn't reach ) not sure if it worked but I had an episotomy first time and not even a tear second time, labouring in water or bath in early stages can have same affect of 'softening' up the perineam - well according to my NCT teacher. I should think about doing massage again this time problem is dh finds messing around down there a turn on and its so uncomfortable for me it turns me right off, doesn't seem fair asking him to do it (sorry tmi!)
the newborn bit will come straight back to you - I remember holding a friends baby when I was pg with ds2 and thinking god I don't even remember how to hold a baby!

bigcar and dreamy let us know how scans go x

Hello all! What a glorious day. I?ll have to get out today to take it all in. I might take DS to RHS Wisley to have a run around.
I?m trying to get the momentum going to clean the oven. It?s HIDEOUS and one of those jobs I?ve been putting off for ages. I want to get it done before baby though as I?m not going to want to think about it for ages afterwards. Unfortunately, it?s got so bad it smells whenever we?re cooking anything. I?ve got that magic stuff from Lakeland Limited that you paint on and leave, it doesn?t smell or anything. I should stop procrastinating and just bloody do it! It?ll be another job off my list.....

Got my scan on Monday to see if my placenta?s moved. I?m willing it to have moved so I can have a natural delivery. Not sure how I?d cope with a newborn, toddler , a CS scar, no driving and a DH who can?t take any paternity (we can?t afford it )

dreamydowler - glad you had a great holiday. Good luck at the day unit today.

Tee - glad your LO seems to be doing really well.

bigcar - sounds like you are having a big baby. How big were your others? My DS was 3 weeks early and weighted 7lb 8oz so would have been bloody huge if I?d gone to term or, worse, overdue. Can they induce you early if s/he is too big?

Doris - sorry to hear about DD being poorly. I agree with the others that you sound amazing! It must be so hard at times. DS had a meningitis scare when he was 7 months and those 48 hours were so scary. I don?t know how you do it when it?s so regular. There was a thread on here recently about people who felt patronised when people said things like ?you?re amazing?. Not sure whether it?s the right thing to say! I hope she starts to feel better soon.

insy - I can?t believe they passed a car with illegal tyres! What numpties! It's shitty that you're the ones sorting it all out and out of pocket. Glad you liked the photo shoot, hope it cheered you up. Can't wait to see the photos.

Laura - I?ve got aqua-natal tonight for the first time in ages. I?m dreading it being completely knackering!

MrsMc - That AN class sounds great. I wish I?d gone to something like that before I?d had DS. I?m looking forward to being able to have another bash at BF this time round. It?s the bit I?m dreading the most though, if I?m honest. It was the most traumatic thing about the whole thing last time. I hope I can get more support this time round.

Morning all!

doris I do hope DD is feeling better. You are an amazing mother. [GRIN]

insy some days I am counting the minutes, never mind the days! 3.5 weeks left!!

Sounds like a great class mrsmcJ. I cannot wait to start my classes on 5th May.

Good morning everyone.

Have to check out that oven stuff ineed. My oven is terrible and every time I open the door the room fills with smoke. I was going to call out the Oven Dr!!!

Doris - you are having a rougth time of it. Hope your DD gets better soon. I too think you are "amazing".

Hi Mrsmc - glad you are all settled into your new place.

Hi Dreamy - good to hear from you.

Hi to everyone else.

Feeling quite tired and breathless here this morning. Supposed to be spending the morning cleaning but have not even started yet.

Another beautiful day outside. A large pod of dolphins arrived in Dublin Bay yesterday so I am very tempted to go and see them with the kids this avo (if I can muster the energy).

Hope you all have a great day.

tee - you are getting so close..how exciting.

It's so sunny I've had no excuse and the first lot of teeny white baby clothes are in the washing machine. I have another load of whites and then some coloureds, all newborn or 0-3 months sizes - my old ones plus from 2 of my sisters - that I'll only have to wash them once a week . Although if this little one is anything like its big sister they'll be covered in posseted milk and I'll have to wash every day to stop the whole house smelling of sick!

Doris so sorry to hear your DD was poorly and am in awe of all you're managing to do.

Dreamy good to hear from you again. Hope your appointment goes well.

MrsMac those classes sound great. I'm with insy on the perineal massage though - seems unfair to have DH fiddling about with one's bits and not being allowed any further. My nausea has returned quite badly and I'm sooo not in the mood for marital action . Also I found the massage uncomfortable to the point of painful. I had a tiny tear with DD which tore again - less - with DS and neither occasion required stitches - but am counting on the fact that I must be so slack down there these days I'll plop out a ten-pounder without it touching the sides

Ineed is that the very noxious oven cleaner for which you need a gas mask and gloves to your shoulders? Be careful!

If you're worried about b/f this time, could you mention it to a midwife or get in touch with an NCT or LLL b/f advisor? So much of it working is about being relaxed and if you can talk to someone about your past problems and current anxieties they might be able to offer practical tips and encouragement.

I love the word 'numpties' - use it, and 'nump' all the time to my DC because it sounds affectionate as well as critical

Tee is that 3.5 wks if you have a CS? Suddenly it's making my 8 wks look very looooong indeed

choccie dolphins, how fab! My DC would love that but Nottingham isn't good for dolphins.

Spoke to a woman this morning who has 4 DC, and even the 2 that needed to be induced happened very easily without the need intervention and only gas and air, so I found that encouraging - I'm so worried about going heavily overdue and being induced, so it was good to hear a positive story about it.

Morning Juners!

MrsMC glad to hear your AN class was good! Our HB practitioner told us about perineal massage, I think I have to review the technique, though, I forgot it now

ineed I agree with ermin, be careful with the oven cleaner you use. If it's too strong, then it's better to have DH do it

choccie how wonderful to have dolphins so close! I hope you feel well enough to take DC to see them.

ermin washing on the to-do-list for today as well!

Tee glad your appt with OB went well and that LO is doing fine

Insy cant wait to see the pics!

laura hope you could get a better sleep last night

MW appt this morning, everything is fine, blood results came fine, BP is fine, wee as well BUT the very nice woman refused to refer me to a physio. She said the pain was normal, that I could take paracetamol if it got a bit strong and that IF it got unbearable, then when I see her again in two weeks she would refer me to a physio. Oh, and she said that the referral wouldn't help as physio would only give me a belt and that was that. Oh well...

Lovely sunny day here! I have to work and do some dissertation reading as well so I'll pop in later.

(((Waves)))

ermintrude that is 3.5 weeks until I go on leave. I have about 7 weeks if they decide to CS me at 38 weeks, which is very common for a diabetic mummy!!

ermintrude - Yes numpty is a great word! I remember seeing 'nump' on that lunchtime show years ago where the teams made up meanings for the weird words and the other team had to guess the right definition? Oh, what was it's name??! Anyway, they guessed nump wrong, numpties!

Doris - Hope your dd gets better soon.

Naat - How are you getting on with the dissertation then? I am waiting feedback from my mum's ma; an academic for general academic comment and from my (rather useless) supervisor. I should get comment from my ma's man by Friday but I'm not seeing my supervisor til next Wed which will give me about 5 days to make any changes before it needs to be handed in for binding. I hope he doesn't see too many problems!

Anyway, because of this I am just doing bits and pieces; contents, bibliography and acknowledges and feel like I'm doing nothing!

MrsMcJnr - Glad nesting is going well. Your AN class sounds great, our birth prep workshop is not til 16th May, keep reminding dh he must have day off (he works every other Saturday).

Good luck with scans to all those who're getting them! I have my 32 week AN check next week, when I'll be 34 weeks... very organised they are here.

Tee, ah, I get you. Should have been able to work that out since I know your due date is near mine. You'll have a lovely final month or so without any bother from your coworker

LittleSarah are you talking about Call my Bluff? That's a blast from the past! I remember 'Fwank' Muir with his bowtie unfolding his little card and saying 'Bluff!' but that must have been in my childhood, which is longer ago than most. Maybe they did a remake?

I'm most impressed that you and Naat are able to be doing academic work. Laundry is as intellectually-stimulating as I can cope with at the moment even though I'm supposed to be doing rewrites on a novel. Just can't get into it, especially in the sunshine. Pathetic.

ermintrude - It was call my bluff, the 90s version - "The show was resurrected in 1996 after an 8-year rest (apart from one special edition for BBC2's thirtieth birthday in 1994), now as a daytime series on BBC 1. Alan Coren and Sandi Toksvig became the team captains, and Bob Holness replaced Robinson as chairman." (Wikipedia)

In fact according to Wikipedia there was a Finnish version called 'In the Moonlight'!

Academic work is very fits and starts ish at the moment but it's all so nearly over!

Hello all. Unfortunately the oven cleaner is very safe, doesn't smell at all so no nasty fumes! No excuses for me (unless you class this huge big belly as an excuse..... hang on a minute that might just work!) I've painted the shelves and they're rotting as we speak. Just got to paint the inside of the oven..... bleurgh!

Naat - at your midwife. You should have been referred from the way you describe your pain. The belt helps enormously and helps you feel more confident when on longer walks than just 'pottering round the house'. She sounds like a complete numpty !!

Afternoon all

littlesarah, that's it! I was trying to think of Alan Coren but just couldn't think of his name! I think he passed away a while back, the program hasn't been on for a few years.

doris, hope your dd is on the mend!

ermin, numpty is dhs favourite word at the moment! I'm with you on the academic stuff, y5 homework is my current level.

naat, glad your appointment went well. Don't really get the point about pain being unbearable, surely by that stage it's a bit late Uncomfortable is normal, pain is not.

choccie did you get to see the dolphins? How exciting!

insy, your garage have been a bit naughty, hopefully that will be an end to it all now. Well done with the photos, sounds great!

tee, never mind, was worth asking apparently it's been used for a few years now but only in the lower doses, I think if your levels are way up then it's insulin all the way. Thanks anyway. Hope your 3 weeks fly by!

Just in case anyone is interested, fairy also do a fabric softner, we've not had any bad reactions to it and my lot are a sensitive bunch

Thanks for all the kind thoughts today Dd1 was 8lb 2, dd2 was 8lb 15, ds was 8lb 10 and dd3 was 9lb 9, so another big baby was always going to be likely, especially now they have diagnosed gd. The scan went well, everything was good, just the baby is measuring on the 97th centile for most with abdominal circ off the scale! Current estimated weight was just over 7lbs and i've another 6 weeks to go! They won't induce early because I had a cs last time and doing it early would mean using lots of drugs as it's unlikely my cervix would be ready (as all the other dcs were late) so another cs is looking likely. I've got to see the doctor again next week and have another scan in 3 weeks, so long as the baby will still fit on the screen

hope everyone is enjoying the sun, and for some, the beach

yes MrsMcJnr, we are all hugely envious of your day on the beach

Ineed, will have everything crossed for your scan on monday!

Hi Juners!

Bigcar Glad the appt went well. You are certainly carrying a healthy LO Hope it doesn't grow too much more, though Thanks for the fairy softener tip. And no, I don't see a point either in having to have unbearable pain before she refers me to someone, but there was not much I could do, she was determined not to refer me today

Ineed glad to hear the over cleaner is safe. I guess no excuses now... of course you could tell DH it's not safe for you to do it Shhh...

LittleS The dissertation is going well, I just have to screw my bottom to a chair and write the bloody commentary... I've been procrastinating that by doing loads of reading and research but I need to just do it! I'm not that rushed as the April deadline is tomorrow and I'm obviously not going for that one but for the September one. The thing is I want to have it ready before LO is born. I neeeeeed to write this thing! See, Ermin not to impressive...
Glad yours is almost over!!

Anyway, back to work, I got a translation on nonwoven abrasive materials Yipee!

(((waves!!)))

Hi all Glad everyone is well today. My hospital appointment went well too. My urine sample was clear yippee and my gtt results were fine The fundal height is measuring almost 37 weeks at only 32 weeks so they sent me for a scan to look at the levels of amniotic fluid. It was high but not high enough to be considered excessive and the midwife said as far as she was concerned it was all baby in there I have to go again in 2 weeks time for another growth scan
when hopefuly they will be able to give me an estimate of the weight. Im expecting for baby to be about 9and a half to be honest as last two were 9lb 1 and almost 9lb still at least baby is healthy

quick one - glad scans went well dreamy and bigcar

have posted the photo I took home from last nights photos on my profile, will be back to have a look at all the shots he took soon but thought I'd share this one as quite chuffed with it (its v egotistical to do I know so humour me not exactly something I can share irl so taking advantage of MN here)

insy that is lovely!!

Gorgeous photo insy, you have lovely skin. My bump would have taken up that entire frame, yours is very neat for a 3rd!

dreamy, sounds like your bump is a little larger too - my DS was 9lb 7oz but tbh I didn't notice the difference between giving birth to him and DD. who was 7lb 9oz. Good job I had her first probably.

littlesarah I'd no idea they'd done a more up to date version of Call My Bluff. Mind you, I have avoided daytime TV like the plague ever since I stopped being a student because I know I'd become hooked (although come to think of it I did tune into Countdown on my maternity leave.. )

Naat, that translation sounds fascinating . I bet it sounds nicer in Spanish.

What a fab photo insy - your skin is amazing!

Hey girls went through the hospital bags tonight and got another wash load of little clothes on the line ? I?m getting there . Thanks to Naat I now have a Spanish version of my birth plan and I also have a whole host of Strep B questions for my consultant tomorrow. He?ll earn his money this appointment!!!

Insy ? hope you are right about the 3 things on the car re the perineal massage, the MW recommended we sit astride the bidet with a mirror ? now I finally know what bidets are for besides shaving your legs your photo is gorgeous! you really look wonderful

Ineedmore ? I think being pg lets you off cleaning the oven, though I see you have now done it! My friend?s husband runs a company in Scotland where they come and clean it until it?s like new for about £15 (mate?s rates maybe) best money I?ve ever spent! Everything crossed that the placenta has moved up sufficiently by Monday I know what you mean about the bfing, it was so hard for the first few weeks last time, I so hope it works better this time!

Hey Tee

Choccie ? how exciting about the dolphins hope you got to see them.

Hey Ermintrude sorry to hear the nausea is back, that is rubbish another one here who is getting enormous satisfaction from doing washing

Naat ? thanks again for the help with the birth plan glad all went well with the MW but sorry to hear you didn?t get a referral. I do empathise with the pain.

Hey Littlesarah

Bigcar ? wow 7lb already! I hope that the scan in 3 weeks enables you to avoid a cs. Fingers crossed!

Dreamy ? glad all went well today