Due May '09, a Spangle-tastic start, who will be next....anyone, anyone........?

[Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa]

Starting new thread ladies, in honour of Spangle.

divedaisy- i think Cara is very pretty, and i know a very lovely little Cara (and a lovely Bethany/Beth). Not sure how you would pronounce Charis- its not a name i've come across before. If i was having a girl, she would be an Emily/Emilia (Milly/Millie). But i'm not . I am still excited about my little man, but still feel sad that i'm not having a girl. But as a friend said the other day, boys are often more affectionate and my DS does give the biggest hugs when you pick him up (and he rests his head on your shoulder).

As for fitting for nursing bras, I have been told previously to get fitted around 8 months. I may go this weekend though, even though i'm only 33 weeks as my current bras are getting uncomfortable.

I only know Charis spelt the Welsh way, Carys. I think it is very pretty. I like your other names too, but my favourite is Susannah.

Dandy Have just checked the sizes of those Anita bras and I think I will be too big so I really really hope my boobs don't grow anymore or my back size suddenly shrinks. I FF DD1 and hated nursing bras when BF DD2 so I was really hoping that the Anita ones would fit... boo.

Jael Yes we do have that card! It was just sent to us a few months ago and I had no idea why but I was thrilled to have DH's extensive dental work covered! Well that is good to know!

I would not think you are lazy, no. For some people it is easier to work and for others it is not. My sister is 7 and my mom just went back to work! I know some people get all of their childcare paid for, and some people who don't. When I was working we did not get any help with chidcare as my Visa had 'no recourse to public funds'. At the end of the week I was only making £50 for working 40 hours. I had to decide that it was not worth it. Now however, if I went back to work I think we would get 70-80% paid for, so in that instance it would make it worth it. However, I will not be sure until I am ready to look into it. I was also thinking about going back to school to finish my second degree as my teaching one does not apply here. This time in the economy seems like the perfect time to go back and there is help there as well with childcare and costs.

Anyway I am going on and on lol Thanks though for all the info. Nice to have a chat with someone who is kinda going through the same thing!

Hi all. Thanks for the good wishes re the chickenpox.

It sounds like hormones are running high as we approach due date. I can't believe how much I've cried this week or come close to it. Momino - I cried at the hospital this week during a heating discussion with the consultant .

Divedaisy hope today went well with your appointment (and you come home to a sparkling fridge!).

Jael my mw told me it was for those due after 6 April, so we should all be ok. I sent mine off at 25 +1, and haven't heard anything back. Managed to spend it many times over though .

Emma v annoying re your appointment today. This seems so common as I had this when I went for the 20 wk scan - thankfully they slotted me in.

Sausage I got big cotton pants from Primark with the aim to chuck em later. I did this with dd and they were fab. Big enough to go over my cs scar too!

Btw am not planning on wearing anything during labour. Last time anything touching me really hacked me off. Have a button down (primark again) dark nighty packed in my labour bag though.

Wow, 5 pages in a day! I haven't had a chance to read it all yet, but I just want to report in with news about my presentation/interview.

It went OK. I was very nervous and did not deliver it as confidently and succinct as in my practice sessions, but at the same time I didn't mumble or look at the floor . I also managed to make them laugh. Afterwards they asked me questions about it all and I think they were properly impressed with at least 1 of my answers. They also showed me a few CTG's to interpret and they wanted me to use the Dr C Bravado mnemonic, the only thing is that I couldn't remember what the Dr stood for. V. embarrasing, it was 'define risk'. I always forget that one, I think it's because it doesn't actually refer to the paper print out, but to the general situation, IYKWIM. I also had questions about how I could be a role model, I hate that type of question. Anyway, they told me I've got a great sense of humour and that they wont be able to let me know until after Easter, because they're interviewing quite a few people.

I'm going to have to have some food now, a non-virtual glass of wine too I think and then I'll try to catch up with the 5 pages later on. DH came home today too, so I suppose he'll want me to spend time with him rather than with you lot

I'm on big ethel austin and tesco pants - mega cheap.

Can't remeber what i wore on the ward afterwards, i think the hospital advised i wore their theatre gown for the first night due to blood loss and after that I was in my bf pjs/nighties. However now with some experience I want some dark bottom halves at least!! Plus a dark towel and a dark dressing gown - none of which I have as yet.

Am seriously packing bags this weekend - will be referring to Fi's fab list!

divedaisy oh so glad you said that about ds dinner, i've been thinking i'm crap as i am really struggling to provide nice dinners for lotti - unusual for me but can't think and can't be bothered - especially when if its a nursery day she only wants to pick (most days).

And can one of you lovely ladies come and pack my bags for me - can't really be bothered with that either...

Didn't get a nap today and am seriously bushed and grumpy - shouted at lotti and my turn to feel super mega horrid and guilty, esp as when i put her in bed she held tightly onto my hand and said ahhh nice mummy

belgian well done, fingers crossed for a good result post Easter. I think you will have made an impression if you made them laugh - well done!! Now you can chill hun x

Fantastic news of Spangle's boy. Wow the new thread is rolling already. I'm on holiday!!! At least I'll be able to keep up with MN.

Congratulations Spangle!

I haven't caught up with thread but wanted to bookmark it before it gets too HUGE.

All this talk of nursing bras and labour wear is reminding me I need to pack a hospital bag. Planning a home birth but need bags for me and LO just in case. Also need to organise a bag for ds1 in case he needs to stay over with someone else. Not at all organised. I'm sure I was better last time.

Baby very active atm and keeping me awake at night. My birth pool arrived on Tuesday but I have resisted the urge to inflate it so far.

My mum is staying with us this week and I've enlisted her help to sort the house out. I wouldn't call it nesting as it's stuff I've been meaning to do for ages, that I know I won't get round to once there are two children in the house.

DandyLioness IME Next maternity sizing is pretty generous.

Yeah i agree I find Next maternity wear pretty big

pulapula Charis is pronounced 'ka-ris' - the Welsh spelling is Cerys (think yer woman Catherine Zeta Jones - she named her daughter that 5 or 6 years ago - cos it was on my list then too, but she 'stole' it!!) Is Charis Susannah too much?? Too many S's???

Reggiee - didnt come home to a sparkling fridge - mum offered to drive me to the hospital and as it takes 40-ish minutes each way I took her up on the offer! The fridge will wait - the bugs haven't killed us... yet!!! Also - why were you discussing the heating with your consultant??? And why was it upsetting???

Belgianchocolate I bet you're pleased the presentation is all over now. Don't analyse it too much because the reality is it went better than you think! I always found that my views on how it would go were well off how it was viewed. What's a CTG? At least now you can reeeee-laxxxxxxx!

Detsy ds ended up with sausages and an egg. I had an egg, ate the last of his, followed by a bowl of custard and stewed rhubarb. After I put him to bed I had another bowl of custard & rhubarb - guess I'll be on the loo most of tonight TMI sorry!

Febes on holiday??!! Where? Somewhere sunny?? Lucky you!

Vent alert. Again. Sorry.

Flipping DH. HB waterbirth all booked with MW today, and now DH is having a stress about the "practicality" of having a HB. E.g. What do we do with the kids?? Are you really OK having your parents here and having a baby? How does the pool fill up? There's no way we can attach a hose to the sink. The pool will get cold. Who will clean up? etc etc

I know it is more hassle having to plan a HB and it means DH will have to do more but it's what I want, so why doesn't he flipping shut up and just be supportive instead of giving me grief about how he's uncomfortable about the whole thing.

Also, my nice car was driven off today. Sniff sniff.

I too was in a hospital gown due to emergency cs with ds.. until I went up to the ward the morning after. then it was my nursing pj's and nursing bra.. not terribly comfy.

I think you deserve a big pat on the back for your presentation belgian and the non virtual glass of tipple. easter not too long away either & sounds like you made a good memorable impression too.

dh made a start with shifting things around our flat to do the new layout in our lounge this evening and we now have a huge living/dining room YAY . Got the ball rolling on the quote for our new walk in storage room too. The reliable guy we know came to measure up and he said if his price is acceptable they can have it finished before my due date. They'll squeeze us in as it's not too complicated a job .

Just got to ask does anyone watch eastenders? I have never sobbed so much . very upsetting.

Dandy - I'm usually a size 14 and got a pair of BF Next PJs with built in support. TBH the top is big and doesn't give much support. If I could have been bothered I'd've sent them back for a size 12. You could order your usual size and a size smaller and try them both at home - Next give you free returns. As for Primark - I used their nighties last time too - just bought regular ones maybe a size bigger. They do stretch (I'm still wearing some of my pre-preg ones from various stores) and as you 'deflate' they'll fit.
I think I'll maybe (??) source out a bf strappy nightie, cos maternity wards do tend to be very very warm. - or just go loaded with vest tops to layer up and PJ bottoms.

Good evening all.

Finally got my large bum in gear today and purchased gigantasaur pack of maternity pads and breast pads. Also finally bought baby clothes and some bedding. It's been very hard to resist but financial worries, etc etc.

Still don't have a pushchair or car seat though, DH says it's 'in hand', ie. he has forgotten. Think I'll have to get on Ebay for a pushchair and buy car seat myself.

Just a couple of bits and bobs to buy for my bag now, planning a homebirth but you can never be sure! I gave birth in a £2 Asda nightie least time and then wore pj bottoms with vests & cardigans for bf'ing. I hate nighties with a passion!!!! Still have my ginormous BHS pants from last time too. Cheap Asda value towels to buy, cheap plastic sheeting for carpet at home is about it.

Oh and nappies . Planning on reusables but haven't got any yet, think I'll buy a couple of the trial packs and 1 pack disposable newborn ones and see how I get on.

I'm not the most organised person......

I have a question for everyone who's LO is head down.. I've been reading belgian's spinning babies link and trying to work out if our girl is still transverse/breech.. where are you feeling the strongest kicks? and where the tickly ones?

Tummum - oOh poor you. Maybe it's the enormity of the responsibility that is freaking him out a bit!!! Maybe he feels a bit alone??? I can understand his concerns, because I think I'd have them too! However saying that your parents can look after the kids when necessary; your parents have been through birth before(!!!) so should help support you and your dh; you wont be alone cos the mw will be with you both; and from what I've read about HB the MWs clean up!! I think he's doing his own version of 'nesting' and having a 'oh shit I'm really not ready' moment!! I have those, and know both dh & ds have them too, but can you ever be truely prepared? Though you do want and need the support to be able to do this without the added dh stresses. He may need a chat with your mw for reassurance and support.