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

[Ineedmorechocolatenow]

Here it is!

Daisy ? poor you hon like you say, it may be the stage you are at, we are quite far along, enough to have aches and pains and be tired and to be limited in the things we can normally do especially with our DCs but then again we still have a while to go and we wonder how on earth we are going to manage as all these things increase over the next 10 weeks but you know that as the time gets nearer things won?t seem so bad.

Naat?s right, you shouldn?t have to be the strong one all the time and we all need a release even if it?s just someone to listen to us (which I find men aren?t good at, they just try and come up with solutions which is not what we are asking for).

It sounds like you need some time out, some time to relax or have fun, is there anyone who could look after DD for a couple of hours so you can have a massage or a pedicure or something? Something just for you?

My DH and I have only had sex once since I got pregnant I don?t really know why, we?ve both been tired and I tend to go to bed first and be asleep when he comes to bed and whenever we get the urge DS is normally around, it?s hard to fit it in with little ones I think.

I don?t know really what to suggest about DD as I have little experience of kids that age (although I have seen my nephew in full swing ) I think it is a tricky age and she may be mirroring a little of your anxiety too, if you are anything like me you?ll be feeling a bit guilty too about how her life is going to change although we all know that a year from now we?ll wonder what we were worrying about.

Keep looking at those lovely flowers I created a rose garden when I was ill for a long time a few years back and it gave me an enormous amount of pleasure and pride . Talk to us anytime too xxx

More from me later?

Morning all
Still not feeling good here; abdominal pain remains and I've no energy, but am out of bed. How rubbish on such a lovely sunny day.
So not much time to post except to say to Naat, that hurrah, I can see photos at last. The scan is super, so clear!

And daisy5 sorry to hear you're low. Physical tiredness can have such a huge emotional/psychological impact and the feeling of having to 'hold it all together' does make it worse. Suggestions of leaving DD with someone and having a bit of you time sound sensible, if you can manage it. In terms of preparing her for the new arrival, have you read her any books on the subjext? There are quite a few picturebooks targetted at her age and designed to help reassure her and lots of classics that cover this ground. If you know what you're having you could buy accordingly - my favourites for big sis/baby brother are the Max and Ruby stories by Rosemary Wells - they are sibling bunnies and the stories are fabulous, really sweet and funny. Try 'Bunnycakes'; it sets up their relationship beautifully. For a big sis of a little sis, the Russell and Lilian Hoban 'Frances' stories are great. 'A Baby Sister for Frances' shows how she starts by blaming the new arrival for her clothes not being ironed and her tea not being ready but her point of view changes before the end of the book. 'Best friends for Frances' shows how her little sister is more loyal and more fun than the older koalas she tries to play with, who laugh at her for being too little.
Both very subtle and well-observed classics.

Even without having to have 'discussions' which are a bit too adult for a 3yr old, some of the anxieties and uncertainties can be covered in this way, and the very fact of you sharing the books with her will make her feel like she has your attention, and losing that may well be her main fear.

bleh, just spent ages putting a post together and then went and pressed a link by mistake and lost it all.

The short version:
We started the nhs antenatal classes yesterday, thought about you mrsmc since only one of us was actually english out of 16 people. Some of the women had to have their partner translate everything for them.

daisy sorry to hear you're down, I had the same kind of feeling for around 4 months during the pregnancy and it's really quite horrible, I hope it passes soon for you, when is dp back from london?

Tee I like your new shoes, been living in trainers for months now!

naat yay for pics You guys look cute, good luck with your dissertation.

A friend of mine announced she was pregnant a couple of weeks ago and she's going through a bit of a rough time, had her downs syndrome results of 1/95 so high risk and went for CSV yesterday, anxiously waiting for results now

What with all that thinking about labour pains and everything that comes with it I have been having quite vivid nightmaresdreams about giving birth. I'm lucky if I get 4 hours sleep in one stretch, I usually wake up every hour to turn round or go pee.
Very tired today and the phone keeps ringing.

Right, got loads of work to do and deadlines to meet before baby comes, so hi to everybody else!

naat great pictures!

daisy you might be having Antenatal Depression. Go talk to your MW or GP. There are things they can do for you!

ermintrude sorry to hear your feeling so poorly. Hope it get sorted soon!

As for me, had a half way decent nights sleep, choccie thanks for the Anusol advice, feeling better already and the weather is gorgeous here!

Have a good day Juners!

Hi all, do you mind if I join you ladies ? I've been watching this thread for months now but finally decided to join in if thats ok.

I'm due 29th June but having c-section on 23rd June as I suffered an inverted uterus last time around with my DD so only 12 weeks left !!

Had a 4d scan on Thursday and they have confirmed we are having another DD which I am over the moon about. They said she is measuring a little small so I am hoping things will be ok but they checked the placenta cord and confirmed all is working as it should be with the feeding etc..

Anyway, was wondering if anybody has been having constant braxton hicks ? Ony had them a few times with DD but have been having these all the time since around 20 weeks ! Last night DH was petrified as I was getting worried I might actually be in early labour. They come at regular intervals and can last hours at a time. Please tell me I'm not the only one ??!!

Yay! you can finally see them!!

Ermin oh hon, sorry to hear your tummy is still acting up... I hope you feel better soon. Is there anything you can do? (Sorry if TMI) I mean, have you been able to go to the toilet? Maybe some dried fruit can help you, if you haven't. As I told you, I've been having the same problems and dried apricots and fruits in general do help. Hope this helps a bit

Tee to hear the cream is helping and that you managed to sleep better last night.

littleSarah yeah, I'm on it! I'm also like you, getting to the "full circle" but I still have the commentary to write and I'm dreading that!!! But I work well with self-imposed deadlines hahaha and I've set 1st May as the date to have EVERYTHING done. Let's see

WelshSurprise welcome!! you got a 4d scan haha. I've been having BHs since a few weeks ago now (I'm 29+4) Sometimes they are quite frequent but then they go away. I'm not sure on the duration of them, but if in doubt, I'd suggest you call the MW. You don't have to be biting your nails wondering . They are there to help!

daisy good advice from erimtrude about books, we got ds1 (2yr9mo) 'theres a house inside my mummy' as he loves rhyming books, its by the guy who is purple ronnie and quite short and sweet, your dd might be a bit old for it tho... and don't think you are alone ds1 was 19 months when I had ds2 and I felt horribly guilty about parking him in front of cbeebies and not having the energy to do anything fun with him, mrsmcjs advice about some time out for you sounds really good

naat great pitures, very of your neat bump!

hi welsh! I'm not having BH yet but I think some of the ladies on here are so hopefully they'll be back for reassurance!

june hope your friend gets the result quickly it must be a worrying time for her

Welcome welsh!

I am not sure if I am having BH or not! My tummy gets very hard on occasion, but I don't really feel anything. As insy said, someone will be along who has an answer, I'm sure!

Don't worry Daisy - I feel rubbish at the moment too. am hoping it will pass when the sun comes out again.

Grr I am so annoyed and so sorry! I have loads to catch up on it seems this pregnancy is going to be eventful one way or another... went for my 31 week check up and had high BP ? so they said uh oh could be that we take baby out!!!

I was like NO way I haven?t even packed my baby bag? Now I am going to make sure I do pack it ? dads been taken to hospital again so I am busy traipsing back and forth... And just so so tired... and baby is kicking like crazy at the moment and it?s all a bit sore! I am a grump aren?t I...?

My LM pissed me off though because I discharged myself from hospital to work on a really high profile visit and she didn?t even say take the day off!!!

Naat my in laws are the most insensitive people in the world at times and I find it so annoying! What Am I supposed to do if baby is on route? Squeeze my legs!??

ermintrude13 Hi How are you doing?? You have been gone for some time... everything aright now?

MrsMcJnr Bunny mother although they were tough ? I don?t mind now, the early years have made me who I am and I know I am very strong. I wouldn?t be this strong and independent if it wasn?t for them times!

MrsMcJnr ? sorry about the strep thing! I didn?t realize they check for that? I thought you had to do it privately... I think I should get checked because I know how dangerous it can be... I am also allergic to penicillin please let me know what they give you instead and side effects!

tee I hope your ok after your fall...

Lauraloo my in laws always do the we?ll pay for such and such an never do so I have asked them not to offer to get anything! If they are going to get something then just Get it!

My list-
?Buy buggy ? Not getting one until baby is a few months old!
? Bed and clothes for baby ? Sorted! Mum wants to get moses basket as well... even though I am not do keen?
? Hospital bag: Baby bag done, my bag not done, daddy bag done, C-section bag (just in case) planned but not done!
? Birth plan: I have my own version but not been seen by a midwife!
? Hypnobirthing: not doing this... But I am doing my Yoga!
? Pelvic floor exercises: EVERY half hour!
? Food in freezer: Not going to do this... family will bring fresh bits around!
? Get baby?s room organize: Guilt of procrastinating!.
? Buy change station: Mum!
? Wash baby?s clothes and sheets: Been told not to bother!
NEED TO BUY TENS!

Hi welsh tee I am the same been feeling tightening but not sure its BH?

Hi all

Thanks for all the compassion and good tips.

*tee - I find it's pretty normal to get low or depressed from time to time with pregnancy and children - it's always ups and downs. I would get concerned if I know it was an endless down or an unreasonable down, but this is more apart of everyday life and just a succession of difficult stuff which has 'taken the stuffing' out of me. I will bounce up again, got up at 7.00 to plant our hedge (the last very physical thing I will do) and it was so nice being outside at that time of the morning (dd slept till 9.00 as I found her secretly reading at 9.30 last night so I knew she would be tired this morning). We then went to the bakery and got some yummy pastries and had a lovely morning at playgroup, and about to go and plant some flowers before h5eading off to photography. So life is quite nice today.

I just find it helps to be able to offload and write it down is so therapeutic. So thanks for listening.

mrsmcjnr - reassuring to know that someone is having as little sx as me. Somehow having sx makes me feel young attractive and carefree! I notice my grey hairs more at the moment! Somehow saying aloud that you don't feel strong, actually, ironically makes me feel strong really. Isn't it strange.

ermintrude - I do have one book but it is more one that explains where babies come from, and maybe not a great book for my 3 year old to understand how great it can be to have a sibling. Thanks for the suggestions. I will look them up online and order a couple.

june - I did have a really really (worryingly) down patch three weeks right at the beginning of pregnancy. It was the combined weight of worry about loosing another one and the terror of having another atrocious pregnancy/sick child like with dd (which pushed me to the brink of wishing they would hospitalise me so I could get some sleep). I was quite stunned by the intensity of it but thankfully a rushed visit to hospital over possible miscarriage (which wasn't happening) immediately shocked me out of it.

ermintrude - you are so right - for me 90% of the time, it is the addition of total physical tiredness on top of various other things going on, that just drags you down. You know deep down that your psychological state is actually fine and grounded but you are just at the point of despair at times.

littlesarah - dd has actually been much better the past few days - I think part of it might have revolved around the before and after manic excitement of her birthday combined with everything else going on.

insywinsy & naat - yes the garden is wonderful therapy. I am so proud of the hedge I put in this morning. It all looks evenly spaced and I'm going to sow some wild flowers this afternoon in the soil so there is some colour peeking through.

DP still unwell but on the mend. He is still too weak to come on the train so aiming for Thursday now. The doctor said thank goodness he was away from us both as it would have completely wiped us out. He has one of those killer gastro bugs that you never forget. Already his trousers fall off him (over his hips) in just 5 days. Poor honey.

Sorry for the very very me me post (I'm not one for short posts am I

Love your photos naat. You guys look so sweet together.

Afternoon all

my keyboard is still playing up, argh Im having to use the onscreen keyboard for all the letters on the right side!!!

MrsMcJnr, you missed the kitchen sink off your list It's good to hear someones organised, I have just about everything, just need a major hunt round to find it all!

Was breakout the swing out sister version? How about Queen, I want to break free, or if they are not forthcoming with the drugs, I want it all, and I want it now (Queen) and for MrsMcJnr and myself, Michael Buble, I want to go home!

Daisy, cut yourself some slack! Having a toddler at this stage of pregnancy is going to be hard work, try to find a chance for time on your own (and I don't mean to catch up on the ironing!). Nearer the time you could ask your dd to choose the new baby his/her first soft toy, ok you might end up with igglepiggle but it may help her feel more involved. You can also choose a present for the new baby to give to her the first time they meet. It's also worth having someone else hold the baby or in the crib so you have both hands free to give her a big cuddle the first time she sees you after the birth so you can make a fuss of her. And make sure all visitors say hello to her first before they start cooing over the baby. Hope your dh is on the mend and back home soon! The Alfie and Annie Rose stories are a lovely read too

Hello Welsh, bh can get stronger and more noticeable with each pregnancy, but if you are at all worried, get yourself checked I think the margin for error on growth scans can be up to 20%, am quite of the ladies here having 4d scans another dd, how lovely, you'll be able to say, my girls!

I'm starting to lose my patience with the hospital now, an hour and a half I waited to see the gd midwife yesterday, just to be told she'd gone and I've to go back next week, not even an apology

I?ll be back to catch up but thought you?d be amused by my latest phone call from the hospital ? I saw the number and thought ?oh hell? anyway they told me that my appointment with the haematologist tomorrow has changed from 8.30am to 1.15pm. I explained that whilst I was grateful for them letting me know, it had kind of messed up my childcare plans. Thankfully the woman was reasonable and agreed to push the appointment out until 2pm so that I have cover for DS. She said that the appointment has been made later so I don?t have to wait too much ? wondering now if I would have been waiting from 8.30-1.15 if I hadn?t got a call? Maybe they are improving My private Dr just called to say that my Rubella levels at 128 are low and I need to watch out who I associate with until the baby is born and then think about a top up now ?m apprehensive about going to the kids things I go to. I wonder how common German Measles is these days?? Back later after the next instalment of my AN classes with bolshy Eduardo

See how long it took to write my post I've already got to catch up

Sweetbroody, hope your bp settles! If you think you may end up with a cs, make sure you get some huge hip hugging granny knickers, and of course you're supposed to keep your knees tightly shut until a time becomes convenient for your ils

Daisy, good to hear your dh is on the mend at last, you must be looking forward to thursday

Oh lord!

MrsMc I also wonder if they would have just left you waiting there had they not called! Well, hope the AN class with Eduardo is good Do tell us about it, pls!

Bigcar I can't believe they did that to you! and they didn't even say sorry! Grrrr... HOpe next week they see you on the dot!

Daisy to hear the gardening is going well and it's keeping your mind off things... Glad your DH is better and will be back home soon

Sweet I'm so sorry to hear about your BP reading today. Do try and stay calm and not stress out too much as that won't help at all to bring it down. Just take one thing at a time, you already have some of the bags ready, get the rest done step by step but don't panic. and at your PILs. Be deaf ears! Only you and baby matter now OH! and hats off to you, lady, on the pelvic floor exercises every half hour!!! You're my hero!

Hi insy and help!

Right, back to work now

mrsmcj you seem to be getting tested for a whole raft of stuff I've never heard of/don't get tested for! or do we get tested for things like rubella its just its not a problem for me so its never been mentioned?? wondeing if it helps to do compare and constrast to info you got in UK last time so you know what you should be worrying about - only example I can think of is friend who's lo got chicken pox whilst on hols in Italy, its routinely vaccinated for out there and the hosp freaked out that she'd taken her there (because she developed complications) where as here we're quite used to seeing it and its a tick in the box as a childhood illness, looking forward to hearing bout AN class

hello everyone else - sory I don't reply to everyone each time, I get v onfused as to where you are all at

daisy seems like you have a good handle on it all, and vent away thats what everyone is here for

insy you did get tested for rubella, but you probably came up immune and so they never even mentioned it to you!

I am so very tired today, despite my good nights sleep. Didn't help that a guy I see occasionally said to me 'so any day now, eh?' Um, no, about 3 more months, thanks!

Thanks for kind 'get those bowels moving' messages. They have! And even apart from that I'm feeling slightly better - not sure if that's the disappearance of the 'blockage', the antibiotics kicking in or the sachet of weird iron water stuff I had this morning (), but it's very welcome. I even caught up with the ironing and made the tea, can't actually engage brain much yet.

I had my anti-D yesterday - double shot they give you nowadays, right in the cellulite on my thigh . Anyone else Rhesus negative?

Reading the lists of what to take to hospital makes me double-wish I won't be going. I'd pack it all and DH would never be able to find it so I'd spend all the time shouting at him instead of concentrating on my special breathing (I never practiced special breathing btw, it just seems obvious when you're doing it).

MrsMc I've been immunised for Rubella 4 times and have never got immunity - a small percentage of people never will. So I'm always extra worried when preg, especially after so many people didn't immunise their LOs after the MMR scare. Not sure what the policy is like in Spain but just avoid anyone with a rash! They'll give you a jab post-natally.

Daisy just remembered, Frances is a badger, not a koala bear. Not that it makes much difference in terms of your DD identifying with her

Tee lol@ your colleague. He clearly knows nowt about the size of pregnancy bumps especially on the ahem shorter woman (my uterus is the same size as everyone else's, it's just squashed into a much smaller space) - hope he gets to see you when you really are ready to drop, he'll be open-mouthed with amazement.

thanks tee I really don't have a clue I've just been very lucky

erintrude glad to hear you are feeling bit better this pm x

mrsmcjnr - I noticed my first white hair and Im in shock!

BigCAR... I think my MIL insinuated that we had conceived like this by purpose so that their yearly May holiday was ruined! LOL I cracked up when I told DH!

Sweet I found my first when I was 24 and it was all downhill from there (I'm now 28) DH helps with the dying as I'm really clumsy and would die if I stained a rented flat .

Yeah, sounds like you two conspired against her and her holidays, of course!!! Good that you crack up, that's the way to take those (note to self, imitate!)

ermin yay!!! I bet you feel much lighter now Glad to know you're feeling better.

MrsMc I think ermin is right. You shouldn't have another thing to add to your list of worries, just stay away from any "spotty" or "rashy" LO.

Afternoon ladies!

What a swift lot you are! You post like the wind! Have skimmed and will have missed a lot but wanted to say:

Daisy - was so sorry to hear you feeling so down, but v glad that today is better. Nothing like a special treat to cheer you up, is there?

I had tropical fruit salad the other day (living large, ladies, living large! ) and it really made my day! Think we should all aim for a special treat every day or so (no matter what it is), as even w the best of pregnancies (and I have been v v v lucky w mine) its tough - getting bigger, slower and achey. I am also sleeping w a pillow under my bump to support it as she is too heavy now.

Naat - gorgeous, charming photos! Your baby girl will be a stunner.

MrsMcJnr - your blardy hospital - you have the patience of Job, and the organisational skills of a general - will be re-reading this thread when packing my bag.

Sweet - sorry to hear about your BP results. Perhaps the good things about a white hair/grey hair is that 1) you can easily dye them; and 2) they tend to be coarser so you get fuller hair? Mine is lank...

Here at Bunny HQ the packing goes on. Am boring myself w it! Better go and shift some more crap treasured items, but wishing you all lovely afternoons! [waves]

Oops, hello and welcome Welsh!

Long and tiring day here, I have one of these mammoths tasks yet to start and the book keeper is chasing me already. It's one of those that I have been motivating myself every evening to get started first thing in the morning but before I know it the day's filled up with loads of other important things to do... I might have to put a couple of evenings in I think. (yup and bookkeeper just emailed saying that he is coming tomorrow so that'll be work for me this evening then.)

Yesterday we realised that the new car has airbags that will only be de-activated by an isofix base - which our cheap travel system is not compatible with - so we went and bought an isofix base and a maxi-cosi car seat, and were so impressed by how little space the quinny zap takes once folded in the boot that we got that too. (our current one fills up the entire boot so no good for travelling).

We went to toysrus and they were ever so nice to us, we called beforehand and the "baby manager" was there and showed us loads of prams and what they did, helped us set the carseat and base up in the car, try the various prams in the boot for size etc. We spent ages there and were the last customers out but it was worth it!

We'll try and give the base back to the other shop as it's still in the box, maybe sell the car seat on ebay and keep the pram for local walks. It's actually really good, has cup holders and a shopping basket which the Zap doesn't have. I don't want to give it up.

insy I'll have my halfway blood tests results next Thursday when I see the midwife, I don't actually know what they test for either.

Tee I was slightly at the bumps in the class yesterday, they all looked much rounder and bigger than mine. Dh said that's because some of them are skinny so it shows more. (mmm, that didn't help me feel better somehow
I noticed I'm also the only one who has spots.

Well, time for a break if I'm going to be working tonight.

June - I have spots, although that may be because I have never seemed to grow out of them!

Naat - Yup, I'm all about the deadlines, by tomorrow I will have, by next week I will have... I don't think I have to do a commentary, I blinkin' well hope not, I'm not sure what that is! Good luck with yours though!

Ermintrude - Sorry you're still feeling rough, hope you beging to get better soon.

Interesting hospital stories from bigcar and MsMcJnr, bigcar yours is just dreadful! That would have made me absolutely enraged. MrsMcJnr - Your medical care is rather funny to say the least, hopefully it makes you smile.

Welsh - Welcome! How amazing to know your due date, quite relaxing in a way. I was small last time round and dd was totally fine, everyone is different. Ante natal check total had me a little bigger than average if anything and I am more than a wee bit worried about having a BIG baby now!

Generally midwife appointment was fine. Had a trace of protein in my urine again (with glucose) so they are sending off that and a blood sample. But didn't have high blood pressure or white blood cells so seems highly unlikely it is anything to worry about. (All my recent blood tests fine). Baby head down at the moment, but that doesn't mean much the noo does it?!