Due July 2009 - Part 4 - The Third Trimester.

[Phoenix]

A new thread, the old one's almost full

July 09 List

25th June - Christiana - DC #2 - Surprise
28th June - Woollyjo - DC #2 - Having a girl
29th June - Welshlinz - DC #2
29th June - JLo2 - DC #4 - Having a boy
29th June - Highrise - first baby
early July - lyca - DC #4
1st July - Rattling - first two babies - Surprise - TWINS
1st July - binkerbeany - DC #2
1st July - Mrsmope - DC #2 and #3 - Having 1 boy, 1 girl - TWINS
1st July - trixiechick
2nd July - Nicky6 - DC #2
2nd July - pop1973
4th July - Mum2boys2girls - DC #5
4th July - ActivityApple - first baby - Having a boy
5th July - soozze - DC #2
6th July - xxhunnyxx - first baby - Having a boy
6th July - Wiltedrose - DC #2 - Having a girl
7th July - MuppetGirl - DC #3
7th July - Misspaella - DC #3 - Surprise
7th July - QueenFee - DC #3 - Surprise
7th July - thelollipoplady - DC #3 - Having a boy
7th July - Eviebear
8th July - JetLi - first baby
8th July - deleting - DC #3 - Surprise
8th July - rubyriley - DC #3 - Having a boy
9th July - LargeGlassofRed - DC #4 AND #5 - Having 2 boys - TWINS
9th July - Betsyboo - DC #3
9th July - London11 - DC #2 and #3 - Having 2 boys - TWINS
9th July - bellybaba
9th July - Gillyan - DC #2 - Having a girl
9th July - Hobbgoblin - DC #4
10th July - Baffy - DC #2
10th July - Mij - DC #2 - Surprise
10th July - Newb - first baby - Having a girl
10th July - SafferUpNorth - first baby
10th July - eveningall - DC #2
11th July - Marsmonster - DC #2
12th July - Jenny79 - first baby - Having a boy
13th July - Scully - DC #3
14th July - doublehelp - DC #3
14th July - Naturopath - DC #2
14th July - Dannyg - DC #3 - Having a girl
14th July - LittleDoe - first baby
15th July - Accebar - Having a girl
15th July - Lydiathetattooedlady - Having a boy
16th July - BeccaBump - DC #2 - Having a boy
16th July - Knax - DC #2
16th July - NattyTomAndEllen - DC #3
16th July - SheWillBeLoved - first baby
16th July - plot2 - DC #2 - Having a boy
16th July - Lillabet - first baby - Surprise
17th July - Patchybob - DC #3 - Surprise
17th July - Phoenix - DC #2 - Having a boy
17th July - alibobble - DC #2 - Surprise
17th July - Bozette - DC #2 - Having a girl
17th July - BrumOne - first baby
18th July - maxmissie
19th July - Dinkyboysmum - DC #2
19th July - busyemma - DC #3
20th July - LBK - first baby
20th July - Belgrano - DC #2 - Having a boy
22nd July - ray81
22nd July - chellebelle - DC#4
23rd July - Andie01 - DC #2
24th July - Madoldbird - DC #3 - TWINS
24th July - Lastboxoftampons - first baby
24th July - Moominmoma - first baby
24th July - Lyrebird - first baby
24th July - ilikeyoursleeves - DC #2
25th July - PrincessButtercup - DC #3 - Having a boy
25th July - BonzoDoodah - DC #2 - Surprise
25th July - Mickeylou - DC #2 - Having a girl
27th July - KitCat26 - first baby
28th July - mylilmiracle - first baby
28th July - Cheekycel - Having a girl
29th July - Brainmish - DC #2
29th July - Poppet45 - first baby
30th July - Mavornia - DC #2
31st July - madeinamerica - first baby - Having a girl
31st July - littlepipbumpmummy - DC #2
31st July - EarthMotherWannabe - first baby

I'm planning to keep dd at the CM as normal (3 days) for the first month after birth (I'm working up to 39 weeks). Then go down to 3 half days but middle of the days eg 10:30 - 2:30 for the rest of my mat leave so dd gets the continuity and special attention from CM and baby and I have time to smooch and sleep.

phoenix - my ds is like that, he still says he wants to be in nappies forever (he's 3.3) and wails at the mention of pants. We've just put in a toddler toilet seat and he's not interested at all. I might try your tip of counting down the 'last' nappies.

hobnob - I'm planning to keep ds in nursery (2 days) until I see how things are going after the birth. I'll take him out for a few days while on mat leave to spend some special time, but will keep his place in case for after the birth. I well remember the fog of the first few weeks!

He would miss the time with his friends too, so a while after the birth I might reduce it to 1 day but I don't think I'll stop it completely. I am worried he won't want to go to once he realises i'm staying home with the baby rather than going to work, but I guess will have to wait and see on that.

potty training - we just kept stripping DS off from the waist down whenever we were in the house and had a potty in the living room all the time. he started sitting on it when he was watching tv etc instead of his chair and we just made a big fuss of him when he had a wee even if it was just a coincidence he happened to be sitting there. as soon as he had pants on though he would wet himself. he was actually quicker to poo on the toilet/potty than wee. i think he was 2 years 10 months when it all just seemed to click and he was out of nappies at night time shortly after although we've had a few spells of bedwetting. pampers bed mats are a godsend and have really saved the mattress.

i have my app with the consultant re the section tomorrow afternoon. i am really nervous about it and scared he is going to tell me where to go! DH said he is coming with me though so hopefully it will be ok.

anyone else itching? ive got a dot like rash that started on my bump and is now heading down my my thighs and legs. nothing scary looking but very itchy when i get hot - like when i'm in bed or have a bath. will mention it at the hospital tomorrow.

hope everyone has a relaxing sunday. x

Message withdrawn

hey guys just wanted to update the list with my name change and what im having

July 09 List

25th June - Christiana - DC #2 - Surprise
28th June - Woollyjo - DC #2 - Having a girl
29th June - Welshlinz - DC #2
29th June - JLo2 - DC #4 - Having a boy
29th June - Highrise - first baby
early July - lyca - DC #4
1st July - Rattling - first two babies - Surprise - TWINS
1st July - binkerbeany - DC #2
1st July - Mrsmope - DC #2 and #3 - Having 1 boy, 1 girl - TWINS
1st July - trixiechick
2nd July - Nicky6 - DC #2
2nd July - pop1973
4th July - Mum2boys2girls - DC #5
4th July - ActivityApple - first baby - Having a boy
5th July - soozze - DC #2
6th July - xxhunnyxx - first baby - Having a boy
6th July - Wiltedrose - DC #2 - Having a girl
7th July - MuppetGirl - DC #3
7th July - Misspaella - DC #3 - Surprise
7th July - QueenFee - DC #3 - Surprise
7th July - thelollipoplady - DC #3 - Having a boy
7th July - Eviebear
8th July - JetLi - first baby
8th July - deleting - DC #3 - Surprise
8th July - rubyriley - DC #3 - Having a boy
9th July - LargeGlassofRed - DC #4 AND #5 - Having 2 boys - TWINS
9th July - Betsyboo - DC #3
9th July - London11 - DC #2 and #3 - Having 2 boys - TWINS
9th July - bellybaba
9th July - Gillyan - DC #2 - Having a girl
9th July - Hobbgoblin - DC #4
10th July - Baffy - DC #2
10th July - Mij - DC #2 - Surprise
10th July - Newb - first baby - Having a girl
10th July - SafferUpNorth - first baby
10th July - eveningall - DC #2
11th July - Marsmonster - DC #2
12th July - Jenny79 - first baby - Having a boy
13th July - Scully - DC #3
14th July - doublehelp - DC #3
14th July - Naturopath - DC #2
14th July - Dannyg - DC #3 - Having a girl
14th July - LittleDoe - first baby
15th July - Accebar - Having a girl
15th July - Lydiathetattooedlady - Having a boy
16th July - BeccaBump - DC #2 - Having a boy
16th July - Knax - DC #2
16th July - TheNatty - DC #3 - Having a boy
16th July - SheWillBeLoved - first baby
16th July - plot2 - DC #2 - Having a boy
16th July - Lillabet - first baby - Surprise
17th July - Patchybob - DC #3 - Surprise
17th July - Phoenix - DC #2 - Having a boy
17th July - alibobble - DC #2 - Surprise
17th July - Bozette - DC #2 - Having a girl
17th July - BrumOne - first baby
18th July - maxmissie
19th July - Dinkyboysmum - DC #2
19th July - busyemma - DC #3
20th July - LBK - first baby
20th July - Belgrano - DC #2 - Having a boy
22nd July - ray81
22nd July - chellebelle - DC#4
23rd July - Andie01 - DC #2
24th July - Madoldbird - DC #3 - TWINS
24th July - Lastboxoftampons - first baby
24th July - Moominmoma - first baby
24th July - Lyrebird - first baby
24th July - ilikeyoursleeves - DC #2
25th July - PrincessButtercup - DC #3 - Having a boy
25th July - BonzoDoodah - DC #2 - Surprise
25th July - Mickeylou - DC #2 - Having a girl
27th July - KitCat26 - first baby
28th July - mylilmiracle - first baby
28th July - Cheekycel - Having a girl
29th July - Brainmish - DC #2
29th July - Poppet45 - first baby
30th July - Mavornia - DC #2
31st July - madeinamerica - first baby - Having a girl
31st July - littlepipbumpmummy - DC #2
31st July - EarthMotherWannabe - first baby

hello everone, ive been reading up like mad trying to catch up with a weeks news-our computer is still bust but stayed at my dads last night as dp on nights!
slings i just got my moby wrap through on friday, havent tried it yet, gonna get my sister to try it on for me later as my belly is now sore from burning it making bacon sarnies this morning!
babystuff i got all mine through from mothercare the other day, just waiting on my breast pump!
watersbreaking when asked in labour if my waters had broken i said i felt them go as i was being sick...turned out id wet myself, rather embarrassed!
toilettraining not sure what to suggest as had really easy time with dd, but i think thats because she was ready and last summer she liked to be nudey so we had a potty to hand just to 'catch' anything! we potty trained just before her second birthday in march but did the same as gillyan dresses and no knickers, nappies at night, nappies ran out two weeks ago and she's dry AND SLEEPING THROUGH! she had previously been waking at 1am then about 5am so i think she was ready for no nappies, every child is different, my sister was in nappies til 4 during day.
everythings a bit pooh reguarding work, my mum cant keep business going on her own whilst im on mat leave, and i desperatley need the job as dp is being made redundant, so looks like i will only have about 8 weeks off. im looking at taking over the business properly from her as she hates it and has too many bad memories of her pricky ex so wants rid. im not sure i could stay at home anyway if dp cant find a new job i'll end up murdering him!

hunney i dont regret my scan one little bit, if anything it has helped me bond more, especially as when first pregnant i had concerns about how id feel having a concievced a boy so soon after my brother died but i am now so excited to see him!
im at my dads til tomorrow so will check back in later, off to my nan and grandads now to raid their toblerone stash!

Hi, just caught up on the weekend chat.

mickeylou I did the same for both my DS, set aside a week to do nothing but potty train. Removed all clothes below the waist and then put all my attention on them, praising them when I caught wee/poo in the potty. Think I was very lucky as both were clean early in that week and nighttime nappies were kept on but then removed a little while later when noticed were dry more often than wet. Both my DS' were clean in the day, barring odd accidents, by 2yo. Drinks beyond a certain time were not allowed (sound like such a disciplinarian } but doing this sets you up for success rather than failure IMO. However, do also think wise not to get stressed about it. At the end of the day, I don't know many adults who are still in nappies

Gillyan Know how you feel. Went out for a meal last night; spoke to chef who said when's your baby due, 8 weeks said I. Blimey, you look like you're due tomorrow, he said, and other men at the bar agreed Feel like saying, I'm a week ahead on my graph, not blooming 8!!! Should I lie down so they can measure me?! Bump is like I've swallowed a bowling ball but folk tell me my bum, legs, arms still the same. Or maybe it's an optical illusion

hunny Just enjoy your scan for what it is I've looked on websites of companies offering scans and the scan & baby don't look that alike, so sure it won't spoil the surprise

Ooh, last msg, meant to say the ultrasound of baby and the actual photo post birth didn't look that alike

Hi everyone. Have had a great weekend. Was dreading it as DH was away again for the whole weekend and I didn't have anything planned at all. Took the DC to the beach yesterday and stoppe doff at toys r us on the way home. Got some muslins (DD uses her old ones for comforters and was a little worried that I would take them away for the baby!) She helped me choose some coloured ones which was sweet. We are going to do the baby shopping at 1/2 term together too which will be fun.

Today my mum came over and took us out for lunch which was sweet. The kids played outside all day which was great.

Totally knackered now so glad that DH is back tomorrow night. He isn't away so much at weekends from now until the baby comes which is a relief..

mickylou I hope your appointment goes well. I have mine in 2 weeks and just want to get it over with. Am more and more in favour of having a c section this time. I know the physical recovery is worse, but I am still mentally recovering from the last 2 births so it can't be that bad! I hope!!

hunny hope the scan was fantastic, how exciting!

thanks patchybob - will let you know how it goes. its not until this afternoon so sure the morning is going to really drag.

happy waddling everyone!

Unfortunately baby wasn't playing ball yesterday . He was curled up with his head, arms and feet (!!) all in the bottom right hand corner and his face was snuggled in to the wall of the womb. He looked very cozy but all we got to see was his ear and an arm and 2 feet lol.
I even tried putting my bum up in the air, lying on my side, ice cold drink, jumping up and down but he just wouldn't budge!
At least we got to see him and the main reason I wanted the scan was so my ex could see how big he's got and see that he's a real life baby who's getting ready to come out soon so at least he saw that and hopefully it'll feel a bit more real to him now. And on the plus side at least I got a free scan!

hunny that's good it was free - when i enquired about 3d scans here in london they said i would still have to pay if the baby was in an awkward position!

changing station is it worth it to get one of these or is a cot top changer enough? maybe 2nd time mums will be able to give advice on this?? i am thinking of getting a cot top changer...

any other tips on what you could definitely not do without for new baby would be appreciated too.

thanks and as mikeylou says happy waddling

hi eviebear - i never had a cot top changer or a changing station. i just had a changing mat and changed DS on the floor. i got some wicker baskets and had them to one side in the living room - one with nappies and wipes, one with vests and one with babygros so it was all handy. personally think you could spend the money for a changing station elsewhere.

things i could not do without for new baby:

1. burp cloths. (DS was bottle fed and we went through lots of these to save his clothes getting wet). i've bought new ones in pink from matalan this time.

1. new soft towels.

1. top and tail bowl and cotton wool balls. (i must go get these too!)

1. cradle swing - it was the only way we could put DS down to have a meal!

Evie I didn't have a changing station either. I suppose it depends on how bad your back is. I changed DD on the floor on a changing mat. Same as mickey I had a basket / plastic bucket thing with all the nappies, cotton wool spare vest etc chucked in it. I didn't miss having a specific place to change her and I had a C-section too and was okay. Have to admit we used old clover pots for topping and tailing water - didn't see the need for something special (but I'm a lentil eating hippy recycler).

Things not to do without ... erm .... I couldn't have done without the bouncy chair. I had this_one - was a life-saver ... or at least a dinner saver. DD would sit in it bouncing and listening to the music while we had a peaceful 10 minutes to eat. It lasted her til she was 6 months old and the way she used it changed with her - very well designed. (My sister was going to get a plain bouncy chair but this was the same price and SOooooo much better).

I breast-fed but still liked the muslin squares - good for catching drips and putting under baby's head and on shoulders and stuff.

I really liked the baby bath and had a bathsupportsponge too. It meant baby wouldn't slip in the bath and felt secure. My DD loved having a bath.

Will think what else ...

that your baby wasn't playing ball Hunny (typical male ). Good that you got the scan free though, where we had ours they said they would charge £50 for the scan time and arrange another appointment if wanted.

Evie - I had a cot top changer but tbh just used to change ds on the sofa/bed/floor unless i was actually in his room and then i would use it.

We only used a baby bath for a few weeks and then used the big bath with a tiny bit of water in it and him just layed down in it so will probably just do the same again (we kept ds' baby bath and top and tail bowl so don't have to buy new)

We rarely used muslins but the few we did have were handy so we've bought some this time as well as bibs.

A nappy box/basket is very handy. We still use ours for ds' stuff and he's only in nappies at night so i would def recommend one of those.

A definite waste of money is a nappy wrapper imo.

Also recommended is a baby rocker/bouncer chair. I've got this one for the new baby.

I'm in a very irratable mood today and ds isn't improving it, he's been a little sh*t all day . We're going swimming in an hour to a private pool near us. I haven't been swimming since last summer and i've never been while i've been pg so quite excited, i just hope ds behaves.

Great - v interesting to hear all your comments, thanks!! Keep any wise tips coming as really don't want to splash out on stuff that won't be used.

Nappy wrapper is a waste? Good to know as DP was so taken in by its gadegty-ness, I was like really? Didn't think it necessary at all. You can get the little perfumed bags can't you?

Enjoy swimming Phoenix- it's lovely while pregnant!!! Think I should go again soon to take the weight off my back and feet which are v sore at the mo and make me tire so easily.

I never had a nappy wrapper but lots of people say they are a waste but then some people may find them useful. I suppose you don't know if you don't try but it is just as easy to put the nappy in a bag and bin it

Hunny glad you got the scan for free...at least you got to see the baby again. Exciting!

Mij if you are out there - what do you think of the Baba sling? I have been reading up on wraps and it seems that you really need to practice practice practice to get them right. Also, with DS (just shy of 4) and DD (2 in a few weeks) to bear in mind, I need something easy and something I can do on my own. Shame I never went the wrap route years ago and would have been heavily experienced. Anyway, seems like the Baba is a good pouch sling and seems to be one of the MN favs.

Heartburn and sickness - is anyone still feeling/being sick? I am fed up with it!!! I have got the sickness bands back on and hoping it will just go away. The hb is also driving me mad and waking me up.

I have my growth scan in a week and feeling anxious. Feeling anxious about the impending birth too....where has the time gone?

Evie here is a quick must for our family for baby:
Bouncing chair of sorts

Basket with nappies, wipes, cotton wool and top/tail bowl

Light breathable blankets to swaddle - saying this, DS HATED being swaddled but DD LOVED IT. The light blankets we had were from when DH was a baby so we didn't spend any money them anyway.

Baby bath but again MIL gave me the one she used for DH.

We have never used a changer so not sure if it is worth investing in.

Hope you had fun swimming Phoenix.

eviebear everyone's different, of course, and we will all have our favourite stuff/stuff we could have done without, but in the spirit of chipping in..!

Things we couldn't have done without:
Sling - well, you guys already know my lentil-weaving credentials
Muslins - however you feed your babe they're blooming useful. And my Mum is still using hers for all sorts of stuff 38 years on - how's that for value for money!
Lansinoh lanolin - if you're planning to breastfeed, it's worth its weight in gold
A mobile that can be attached to crib/moses basket/whatever. It was the only way I could put DD down long enough to get a shower. We were lent a very over-educational black and white shapes one called, I think, an Infant-stim or some nonsense, but bugger me if DD wasn't totally enthralled by it.

Things that didn't work for us/didn't need:
Bouncy chair (see - there's always one!) - we were lent one and DD loathed it with a passion. Spent a total of 5 minutes in it, I think.
Baby bath - we just took her in the bath or shower with us. Might be different second time around though...
Scratch mits - never stayed on, although socks worked a lot better on hands than they did on feet.

changing station we didn't buy anything specific, but was glad to have a small square table we used to use for the computer available, as I do have a bad lower back and found changing on the floor quite painful. But as DD was a first child and we were in a tiny house, going upstairs to change a nappy was easy, and I did sometimes change her on the sofa if I couldn't be arsed to get up the vertiginous stairs

Lydia tried your Moby yet [sling fanatic emoticon here]?

Just got a very good outcome from the paypal resolution centre. Breaking news: arsey mis-selling ebayer gets comeuppance via the power of rational argument and irrefutable evidence shocker! [smug]

x-post MissP!

I've never tried the Baba sling itself, but have tried to help other people use similar models.

It's such an individual taste/comfort thing, it's hard to advise. Personally, I like pouches or ring slings that aren't that tightly stitched at the shoulder. The only way I can be comfy for any length of time with a one shoulder carry is with an open pouch like a Hotsling or Peanut Shell, that I can pull right down over the ball of my shoulder, otherwise I get sore in my neck very quickly. But then, I've got old injuries in both my lower back and my neck.

If you think you'll only use it for short periods and you don't have any back or neck issues, then it would probably be fine, but is there any way you could borrow or hire one to give it a trial run?

A compromise if you like the idea of a wrap but don't think you'll have time to practice (although it only took me a couple of days to get my Kari-Me well and truly wrangled with DD, but I understand where you're coming from!) would be a Tricotti or a closer. They do a very similar job/set of carries to a stretchy wrap, but with less, well, wrapping!

Hi everyone,

Can't believe I only have five weeks to go. As I'm having twins they will take me in mid June at 38 weeks to induce me or as they are both breech at the moment, likely to be a caesarian. I've had a really hectic few weeks was involved in a car accident which was a bit worrying and last week my daughter was rushed to hospital following a febrile convulsion. It turned out she had hand foot and mouth virus which I have now caught despite being told by the doctor that most adults are immune. Am hoping the babies don't come early as there is a 65% possibility that they could get it if I still have it, so more worry. Can't wait until they are here, although I guess I should just appreciate the calm before the storm. My tummy is really huge but I haven't put on weight anywhere else so am getting some really strange looks. Some little boy who had lost his football the other day even asked if I was pregnant as he thought I had stolen his ball and hid it up my dress. The hand foot and mouth is driving me crazy as my feet itch constantly throughout the night and I can't sleep. Any suggestions as to how to ease the itching would be really helpful!!!

Good luck to all the other July mums out there. Not long now. It will be a huge relief not to suffer from heartburn ever again in my life.

Message withdrawn

Hi mrsmope - my DS had hand foot and mouth this year. i think it only lasted a week at the most. i was told grown ups couldnt get it too!

so sorry you are still being sick misspaella - mine has worn off now - touch wood. my mum says she threw up every day for 9 months without fail and the first thing she did after she'd given birth was throw up too. hope you get a reprieve from it soon!

my appointment was a total waste of time today and i came out very frustrated. saw a sister who took my blood and did blood pressure. waited for consultant only to see someone completely different who said i see you have big babies, and had a long labour - well second time is never so bad. and that was the end of the discussion! they listened to baby's heart beat and then were set to pack me off. when i brought up the c section i was pretty much told they would keep an eye on size of baby but it was far too early to even discuss c section. silly me thinking that was the whole point of the bloody appointment! i have a scan at 32 weeks and another app with them the week after. so its still completely up in the air how this baby is going to be born and i am still freaking out about it!

Sorry your appointment didn't go well Mickey. I'm seeing my consultant on Thursday and was hoping to ask for an elective (emergency with ds) and get a date etc. but i won't get my hopes up now.

Things I couldn't do without last time:
Muslins (I had sicky babies)
Baby sleeping bags
Baby swing
Pram
Car seat (both of mine hated the carry one and had to get a 0-4 one very early on)
Breast pump (I'm useless at hand expressing)
I used a changing mat on the floor as I had a hip problem that made stairs difficult, also it was safer than leaving my then 2 year old to follow me up stairs. I used it on the bed upstairs and on the sofa down. I moved to the floor when they were a bit bigger. I kept a box with nappies wipes cream and nappy sacks up and down.

My 2 didn't like the bouncer particularly but it wasn't a vibrating one.

Have got severe swelling in my ankles now only 1 pair os ballet pumps fit
Saw midwife today and all is well.