Due June 09: The final Countdown: RLT, BH, SPD, HB, EC, VBAC & no plans to TTC again!

[Ineedmorechocolatenow]

Here it is!

Thanks for your feedback on names doris I think you are right about going with your gut feeling and after seeing the names written down and discussed ermin I think I prefer Lyra too. Also agree with people saying they aren?t telling anyone. silk my MIL suggested alternative names for ds2 when he was 1 day old we don?t really want to tell anyone this time but my SIL is thinking of Lola and I?m conscious of how similar it sounds to Lyra, don?t want her to think we nicked her name?.

laura I did the massage last time and no stitches but was baby no2, didn?t bother with no1 and had episiotomy but I think they just got bored of waiting and I was flat on my back with legs in air, not started this time but plan to do some (well dh has to do it as I can?t reach ) worth having ago if you can bear it (its v uncomfortable)

Ordered my tens machine! Should have just bought one with ds1 as would have been cheaper but then you never know if it?ll be any good, also did some gardening last night and dh started on our DIY ? after falling out with me because I was tired, his comment was he was too they really just don?t get it do they even after 3 I haven?t worked out how to get it into his head that I?m sleep deprived and growing a baby, looks like most of us are in a similar boat with that one!

tee 2 days to go!!

Hello all.

What a bloody miserable day. Got a play date this afternoon at a friend's house, but still got a morning to fill entertaining a toddler. Not fun when you can't let him run around outside.

DS is playing up at the moment. He was in full-toddler-tantrum mode yesterday and I had to do Time Out 5 times . He seems calmer today though. Having a two and a half year old and being eight and a half months pregnant is bloody knackering! Someone did tell me that it's harder being heavily pregnant with a toddler than having a newborn with a toddler.... I just hope they're right!

Bra sizes - I was a 34C before I had DS, went to a 36C afterwards. I'm about a 38DD at the moment so M&S have told me to aim for a 36 DD/E in terms of nursing bras. I'll pop in at the weekend and get measured again, just to check.

I've also got the sausage fingers thing going on which is horrible. I've consigned my wedding rings to the jewellery box now.

I did perineal massage last time and ended up with second degree tears and an episiotomy. I shan't be bothering this time!

37 weeks Friday. DH and I tried to a few days ago... all was fine, but a bit of a logistical nightmare, what with huge bump and SPD. I was very conscious of my size, DH didn't seem to mind! I've told him it's all systems go from Friday (sex, pineapple, curries, the works). I know it's all a load of rubbish, but at least I'll feel proactive. I just want this little boy out now. Sorry to be crude, but I've also read that giving a guy oral sex can also bring on contractions.... something to do with ingesting the hormone..... anyone else heard this... I'm going to try the other routes first!

(though I sure that was invented by a man who just wanted more oral sex....)

Morning all

in a rush before school run so will answer Ineed's rude question first . Sperm on the cervix gets prostaglandins where you want them; I think the oral ingestion thing was made up by a man. Don't think I could face it - a new flavoured Gaviscon. BUT the good news is that clitoral stimulation is also helpful for getting things moving. So you can both have fun!

and i found perineal massage too painful and hilarious to do so gave up and both times have had a tiny tear that needed no stitches.

will catch up later have good days x

Morning all

ermintrude last night's class apparently covered perineal massage, but we didn't stay for that part of the class! I really don't like the physio who does that part of the class, although the MW is a hoot. She demonstrated, in the air in front of her, how they insert a epidural. I think I'll pass on that one. I don't like people messing with my back period, never mind inserting a needle into my spine!!

I was woken up at about 3 this morning with Braxton-Hicks. My tummy was so hard!!

Right, I think I will have to stop having sex for the next couple of weeks just in case it brings things on - I am just not ready for baby yet!

1. Mum in Israel until 24th. She'd be gutted to miss things and I'd be pretty upset too.
2. Can't have home birth until 38 weeks plus.
3. Don't have everything yet and waiting til end of month when should actually be able to afford to go shopping!
4. Last bloody nightmare presentation for uni is on the 21st, so want that done.
5. Still got hours of research to do for lecturer and want to get as much done as possible pre-birth (if not all).

Phew... hear that baby? No more than a week early for me please.

On the perinneal massage front, did not really do at all last time and I 'grazed' down there so not too bad all in all.

Insy - I don't think Lyra/Lola are too similar for cousins, Lyra is fab!

Agree telling people is a pain, with all the oh, I don't like/do like/hate style reactions. Think we are leaning towards Finlay for a boy and Maeve for a girl. Which is funny because of people we have told like my granny and mum they prefer our other choices; Alexander and Isla.

MrsMcJnr - Sorry to hear about your continuing dh troubles, really really not what you need right now, hopefully new baby will help him see what is really important.

Dentist and comedian both good! Dentist said it looks like dd's bottom front two will be getting wobbly soon which made me both irrationally happy and sad. I mean wasn't it just last week those wee teeth came in? Now they're coming out... but on the other hand so proud of my wee girl and the wee person she is, it's lovely to see them growing. Sniff.

Good names Naat! I also like Rhia, and particularly Mila. Gosh I really must look in names book again. Thanks again to your dh for all his help.

Hello to everyone else!

Right, must get researching, will be handing in timesheet today so good to get a few more hours on there.

ineed I definitely found that having a toddler and being preg was harder work than having a newborn and toddler, also I felt a lot less guilty about wanting to veg or not being able to deal with ds1?s every need once ds2 was here as I had to share myself out between the two, I?m finding this time round easier, I guess I know what to expect and I think the boys entertain each other rather than ds1 needing a playmate
I?m also thinking the oral sex thing was invented by a man!

littlesarah hoping baby stays put for you sounds like you have a lot on! No HB till 38wks? I?ve been/was last time told I could have one from 37 wks?. On names bit worried bout Lyra Lola as our dc1?s have similar sounding names and it confuses them (only 15months between them) might just have to fess up to her at ds1?s party at weekend and see what the reation is, she might only be playing with idea!

Good Morning All!!
Well sunny Swindon has turned grey and horrid~!yuk- especially as my rain coat no longer fits!! and DH has got my brolly in the car, in oxford!

I'm soo rubbish at remembering what everyone has said-- so I'll bulk it all together.

I love everyones name choices I like the unusual ones Love Eleri and Layla. Lolo and all the other L names. Love Naats names and Love Adam ( on the subject of adam-- I'm sure god gave childbirth, periods and all the side effects to us women, as eve ate the apple!!! LOL)

Naat- glad to hear DH is helping tons- my DH has been a different man recently-- but desperate for me to get back to normal- as hes knackered!!

The reason I have told a few people my name choices is the my darling brother- always always makes some rude comment on my name choices when I've announced my new bundles arrival so for him I'd rather get it out the way- so that when LO is born- I don't have to deal with his comments!! I've told MIL and my Mum but noone else!!!Apart from you lot!! ( my brothers girls names are Anya and Mia )

Glad all disseration, mw appoints, scans and GTTs have gone- or going well!!

I'm having more SPD pain at the mo so awake last night- but as B-day is nearing- I worry what the effects the co-codamol will have on the baby especially as it will be delivered before its ready to be born, as that can have a few effects on the lungs!! So I'm not taking them at the mo!! I'd rather be in pain than cause the baby problems probably daft of me but thats me-- daft!!!!!!!

I'm having more and more BH so ok, some painful but just going to keep an eye on them!!

2 days to see the consultant and can't wait DH has the whole day off on Fri and might take tomorrow of too a case of D+V coming shhhhhhh!!!! lol
Have a good day and I'll probably catch up later xx

Hey everyone.
Been trying to catch up.

Mrsmc sorry to hear your buggy doesn't fit through the door but like you say, at least it fits into the lift and pushes like a dream You have reminded me - I haven't even checked to see if my single buggy fits though our front door! it's back in the loft for now after having it down to see how it fit into the car boot. Won't be coming down again now until baby arrives.
Glad to hear you and DH are speaking. Don't worry about the connection thing, that will come back too although I know how horrible it feels. You kind of feel isolated and lonely....if that makes any sense. Just tell me to shut up.....

Perineal Massage - Not doing that here. Tried with ds1 and just didn't work out. Very sore and difficult.

Bra Size - Pre kids I was a 34b. After DS1 I remained a 36b. After DS2 I remained a 36A! At the beginning of the pgy I was quite enjoying having some womanly boobies but now I am getting fed up of them. I am wearing 36d and they don't seem to have grown since about 12 weeks.

Tee - don't rule out the episiotomy entirely. Try to keep an open mind as you may need it and it really isn't that bad. I hate needles, can't even look at them but if the need is there.....

My tummy went rock hard last night too. DH made a huge and very tasty salad for dinner last night. I was lolving the vinagerette dressing so much that I couldn't stop eating. Then I ended up with awful bloating and hardness and had to go to bed as had terrible cramp on my left side. It always seems to be the same muscle in my tummy that hurts and I know that the baby was laying on it.

lol Ermin and Ineed. New flavour of Gaviscon!!! . errrr......
DH and I have had no bedroom action for a while now. tbh I have been feeling rather horney lately but dh is not so keen. He just cannot get over the size of my bump.I can't blame him.

Had a poor nights sleep here again. I think this is how its going to be for a good while now. I can't get comfortable, dh keeps on snoring, kids keep waking up with nightmares....aaarrrhhh.

I am getting quite anxious now as to how I am going to cope with 3 dcs.DS1 has been playing up lately and refusing to get dressed in the mornings for school etc. I have got to make sure they are both as independant as they can be but at the same time not make them feel like I am leaving them to it and not giving them my time anymore....iykwim. They have even been rowing over who holds which of my hands....Soon I wont have any hands free!!!!!

Insy - I'm pretty sure the midwives here don't go on call until 38 weeks and also the box/gases an stuff not dropped up until end of week 37... I'll probably go two weeks over now!

Morning ladies!

Quick post from me. Am pretty tired and grumpy today - not sleeping that well due to aches and pains (had another calf cramp so started shouting in the middle of the night - poor DH!! ). Am now coming to sleep on the couch more often than not, then return to curl up w DH just before he gets up. For some reason, am finding our couch more comfy than our bed. Really don't want to get in the habit of sleeping apart from DH, though.

Am 37 weeks on Friday, so off for my 36 week appointment this afternoon. Don't think it is an exciting one, though - usual measurements.

MrsMcJnr - that you are feeling sad and aren't feeling a connection w or receiving affection from DH, makes me wonder if it isn't worth trying to have a chat to him about it. He might also be missing you and not doing a great job of dealing w it. Oh dear, sorry but LOL about DS lifting your top to kiss your bump. He really is cute, isn't he?

Naat and other lovely Juners - beautiful names, ladies!! Gosh there are some lovely names for our babies. Still no progress on names in bunny HQ. DH still loving Amelie, and nothing else. Now I have even starting thinking about it as her name, but have not told DH this. Otherwise he will never look at a baby book.

LittleSarah - I hope your little one is a compliant baby and arrives when you want him/her to, and not before!

Another lady I know had her baby 2 weeks early (I found out yesterday), which for me means next week. Told DH and look of pure panic crossed his face. Mine too! Still, am getting slow/tired/uncomfy enough to wish for an early arrival.

Spent most of yesterday negotiating IKEA [insane rabbit emoticon], and think I now have that out of my system for the next few months!

Also had a playdate yesterday morning w a friend's baby, and managed to get baby to sleep despite grizzling when I put him down so feeling much more confident about my parenting skills. Am loving the Baby Whisperer's approach - fits nicely w how I view things (so far!!).

Better do some chores, but have lovely days, Juners!! ((waves))

HI Juners!!!

Sleepless night for me here, I was up from 2.30 to 5am! Loo, hunger, tossing and turning, LO kicking a LOT (insert tired emoticon) DH got up and offered to bring some fruit and cut it for me but he had had such a long day I felt guilty so I told him to go back to bed.

Re.perineal massage: I started doing it on Sunday, wow is that muscle hard!! I don't know if it'll pay off but well, I'm trying. I do it while in the shower as sitting down would be impossible I can barely put my socks on now...

Re.bedroom action: I'm with LittleS there, I can't have LO come before we move (week 38) so I told DH this wkend that that was the last action we were getting, I can't risk it bringing on labour LOL at ermin's comment re. oral sex. I'm sure that was a man!

Just back from scan. Thank God LO's measurements are OK so I've been "dismissed" from mixed care!! The sonographer almost gave me a heart attack when looking at the fluid around the baby as he said "hmmm it's a bit low" but then entered the figures in the computer and said "nope, it's fine" (insert relief emoticon) BP fine, wee fine so I can give birth at the BC!!!

Now let's see if I remember what everyone said

MrsMC oh honey You shouldn't have to feel so lonely and isolated, don't you think maybe talking to DH would be good? As choccie said, maybe he's feeling the same but not expressing it, men are generally bad at doing that. You need his support and his help, esp. these last few weeks and you need to feel he has your back for when LO is born, so maybe a sit-down would be a good idea? (((hug)))

bunny sorry to hear you had trouble sleeping too. Hope the appt goes great! Give your DH the book!!

choccie another one in the sleepless club HOpe you can get a nap during the day to catch up with some rest. I admire you ladies with toddlers or DC and a bump. You said you wondered how LittleS and I managed academic work! DC are much harder!!

effie sorry your SPD is acting up again. I understand how you feel re the medication but if it gets worse, then honey there's not much point suffering all day long Try and see how you feel... Awful day here too, it started sunny but now it's a mess.

littleS good luck with the research, hope you manage to do a lot so that you finish soon. Lovely names!!

tee 2 days!!!!

ineed sorry to hear DS got time-out so many times yesterday... I imagine how hard it is to have enough energy to deal with an 8-month bump and a toddler. HOpe you have an easier day today.

insy Lyra is nice!! Great you got your tens machine already, and yes, the massage is quite uncomfortable

Phew, that was long!

Right, commentary work now!! Have a lovely day, Juners!!!

(((waves)))

Sex I wish so does DH I would be screaming- but not with pleasure so its a bit of a turn off he can forget the oral bit need lots of alcohol for that blush]!! I have said that perhaps a couple of days before LO comes we might try- as he finds me v. appealing at the mo I can't see it personally--but its nice to know!!

bra size was small, before this pg was 34E, now 40D-DH can't wait for the milk to come in as I will get bigger!! lol Hes definately a boob man!

Hope you are all having a good day xx

naat great news you can have lo in BC

littlesarah just checked with my MW (as baby still not moving v much and she has no appointments till the 1st June she's on hols and then its bank holiday and she only see's people Mon and Wed but is not doing any extra to catch up) anyway HB is from 37wks here, must depend on PCT, we also don't get any kind of 'pak' or g&a before hand, she brought it all with her last time

choccie I'll do some virtual hand holding with you as I'm also worried about coping with 3, I'm hoping ds1 starting pre-school in Sept will make it a bit easier but getting more apprehensive about it all and like you say not having enough pairs of hands! hope you get some more sleep soon

bunny Amelie is a lovely name, do you know its a girl? wishing I'd found out so could not have to bother looking at one section of name book!

I am totally skiving - still technically in work until week on Friday but feel rubbish so 'working' from home. So far that has meant taking two phone calls (about 20 minutes) and doing some revision for a financial services exam I have tomorrow. I'm just very lucky that my maternity cover person has started - I am pretending that I am stepping back to let her get stuck in.

My day started at 5.30 when dd woke up all happy and chatty. She wanted company after about 15 minutes though so she came into my bed (sleeping in the guest bedroom) and chattered non stop for 1/2 hour - couldn't understand a word of it. I think maybe she talks even more than my mum!! We both then went back to sleep until 9.30 - she went to nursery at 10.

Good thing was that dh saw her before going to work. He's working really long hours at the moment to get a project finished before his paternity leave. DD is asleep when he goes and in bed when he gets home. One of his colleagues said last week 'can't you rearrange yr paternity leave? - it's going to be inconvenient' Silly man obviously doesn't ahev children himself.

Can't remember who is in Swindon (dh works in Swindon) but here in Gloucester it's just as miserable - flipping drizzly rain.

I wrote a nesting to do list last night and have spent a few hours this morning sorting through loads of dd's old clothes and a bag I received from my sil. 3 piles now - some for Eleri, some for recycling and some that need to be chucked cos they are stained.

Still loads of painful BH over night and today.

Love the name Amelie

Oral sex does NOT bring on labour - definitely a myth spread by a hopeful man

just a quick post back from scan and placenta has moved so still on for midwife led unit for birth, depending on gtt results next week. Also she is going to be a BIG baby, estimated weight just now is 6lbs doc said he hopes that it whouldn't go too much above 8lbs so heres hoping

will catch up later

lauraloo09 Wow big baby-- mw said mine was not a tiny one!!! Good news for your scan and fingers crossed on your GTT.

silk I'm the swindon girl not by choice originally from Witney-Oxfordshire but DH was working here-so made sense although hate it!!!!!

I think the sex thing in general- to bring on labour was founded out by a man!!! How many women did he use in the trial??? LOL xx

Effie - I know what you mean about Swindon. Oxfordshire is loads nicer (I cover Oxfordshire for work). When I return from Mat leave in Sept I will have Oxfordshire and Berkshire as an area to cover - ridiculous amounts of travelling (particularly with 2 dcs under 2). DH will probably still work in Swindon but I wouldn't move.

Silk I know what you mean too theres such a stigma about swindon and alot of it is true!! Luckily we are in the nicer end- where the school is very good- so could be worse and when DD starts secondary school we will move as most around here are rubbish!!! I'm not a snob but we want better-- we were going to move- but the house prices are so bad at the mo- so we wil hang tight and then move!!

I WANT THE SUNSHINE BACK!!!!!!!!!

Naat - Glad scan went well, did they tell you how big baby is? (I am obsessed with that as I knew last time with late scans and don't this time being all 'average'

Good news Laura! Insy - It is all so variable from place to place, can't believe you won't be seen til June though? What's your due date, around the same as me no?

Here they bring all the kit and leave it at the house, and even better, the firemen come round to check the safety of the oxygen and gas and air cannisters!

Sorry to hear about the rain Effie and Silk, here in Ed it is bright sunshine but I've barely made it out with work stuff...

On the up side I saw lecturer today to talk about how research is going and I was telling her I fancied teaching one day and she actually thought I might be able to work at this uni in Sept!! Now I hugely hugely doubt this as an actual reality but it's nice that she would think I could have a chance there, and she thought I'd have a good chance of a funded masters/post grad (where I might do part-time teaching anyway)... I am going to look into journalism work too but I'd love to teach too and think keeping options open considering 'current climate' a very good thing! Anyway, she said she'd let me know if she heard of anything going here...

Right must get to yoga!

littlesarah due 18th June, when r you due? I'm meant to see MW around 27th May for reg check up (36+ one) now will be more like 38 wks before app, so strange you have to wait extra week for HB, little weird baby not considered at risk here and is where you are, where abouts do you live?

afternoon all

littlesarah, now come on, where do you live? Firemen delivered direct to your door, I'm feeling a sudden need to move in the next couple of weeks Great news on the uni front at last, fingers crossed for september.

laura, glad your scan went well, fingers crossed the gtt comes back ok.

naat, good to hear all's on for the bc and a good scan

MrsMcJnr, what a pain your pram doesn't go through the door, very that you got to try yours out though dd3 has had a bit of a growth spurt recently so I'm hoping she will still fit in the double. Getting it out of the box and trying it may be a good idea but I've a bad case of head in sand syndrome at the moment! Hope your dh is being a little more reasonable, sounds like he owes you a pretty big apology!

Another tired and grumpy mummy here, nights are just so uncomfortable now, never mind the frequent loo visits, mine and dhs snoring and dd3 getting one of her back teeth through, these last couple of weeks are just sooooo much fun Any bedroom action is definitely a logisitical nightmare

Had my scan this morning. Baby is fine, although currently just under 8lbs Unfortunatley though the sonographer was crap. She must have taken all of 5 minutes to do the scan, her measurements didn't look very accurate, that was all she did, the last time the lady had a quick check of everything. She checked the blood flow through the cord which was fine and attached a copy to my notes but looking at it when I got home, the photo of the screen has my name spelt completely incorrectly, how much effort does it take to get someones name right?! This one didn't even measure the fluid around the baby, just put down normal on my notes. I had to wait just over an hour for this as well, I'm sure she was seeing people out of order as people were turning up a long time after me but were seen first, either that or they were incredibly late for their appointments.

I can't wait to have my baby now, mainly because I'm so *** off at the treatment I've received from the hospital I can't wait to not have to go back there again. And this is suppossedly how they treat all their high risk women, stress them up to the eyeballs, great. I had much, much, much better care for my low risk pregnancies, it's a joke Sorry, rant over, please feel free to completely ignore!

I'm in need of seeing the sun again, where has it all gone? Waves to all

Insy - I'm due on the 6th of June. Apparently after 37 weeks here (and all is normal) you are still entitled to home birth and if baby comes early you can demand they come out even though they are not officially on call, don't think I'd have the balls for that though! I am in Edinburgh.

Bigcar - Grrrr for you! Sounds like the care is more than a little lacklustre where you are... and no firemen! Still at least baby not 8Ib yet, plenty of time to get there hopefully.

Hello all,

I have just been crying reading this See Here - just keep clicking the >> button to see each page - I love the page with the pregnant silhouette. Just select February 09 from the list. I made one of these for my dp on Fathers Day just after dd turned one. I put all the firsts and all the photos of dd and him together. He keeps it with him when he isn't with us and is probably his favourite gift ever from me.

Was out in the garden for a couple of hours this afternoon, and always think I'm going to snap little ones neck when I bend over. I know it's an irrational fear, but it's my current irrational fear, next to giving birth en route to the nursery.

bigcar - you have had a rough time at your hospital. One of the ones in SW London isn't it? I had my first baby at St Peters - not there is it?

effie - lucky you. My tally for the year is 'one'! Back in January. Dp has just gone right off me, in that way. Loves me, but doesn't fancy me with the bump - he insists all men secretly feel this way, but I tell him it isn't so. I just tell him he's getting past 'it' - at 48.

mrsmcjnr - very worried about you and your dh's current impasse. You sound really angry with each other. Is there any improvement - any chance of a 'real' chat?

silk - great 'work'load you have at the moment. Well done on the work planning.

naat & laura - glad to hear the scan went well.

insy - I envy you having a HB. I have opted out for several reasons, but feel a bit sad not to be having one. I loved the idea of our baby boy being born in this house. I thought that would be a very special thing. Thanks for the information re: church schools.

littlesarah - it sounds like you are doing really well with getting everything together for 'school'....and possible teaching - that could be handy & interesting.

ermintrude - sounds like you've been very busy.

perineal_massage - I never have understood how this works. They covered it in our NCT class three years ago but I just didn't 'get' it. Where are you supposed to press?

All the names suggested are very pretty/handsome. I was having a panic that our chosen name was the surname of a particularly nasty great uncle whom my mother despised, but I've just discovered that isn't right - it is in fact the maiden name of my great grandmother, who I have a photo of here and was apparently lovely and had to sail around the world with her three children to be reunited with her husband - so that's a lovely story behind the name we chose.

One other thing, I've completely lost my sense of humour and decided everyone dislikes me. I realise this totally irrational and it is my hormones (and lack of sleep) playing with my mind, but I do miss my good friends and it is hard being in a new town at times - especially right now.

OMG - Bigcar - when are you due? 8lbs already - sorry your getting rubbish treatment - it's ridiculous isn't it? they don't seem to see how stressful some of this is for us poor mummies when we're being told to constantly relax.

Daisy _ I'm pretty much with you on the low tally on the sex front. Combination of my having no libido whatsoever whilst pg (even less than last time), my dh being a bit squeamish about it once the bump is big, a toddler who is rubbish at sleeping and a full time demanding (until this week) job.

Insy - I'm due on the 19th (how far pg are you? - if you see one of my earlier posts I've just lost track hopelessly) and my mw says I can have a hb from 37 weeks - she wants to bring the stuff over before then. That's why I asked to meet her in the next week or so as I really need to talk it through with her so I can finally decide. She was a little as if I was wasting her time but I had to point out that we hadn't really discussed it other than her saying she thought everyone should do it if they were low risk. Now she's referred me to the consultant next week so they can confirm I am low risk and agree a hb. There doesn't appear to be a reason for the referral just arse covering I think.

Am hoping i get sexy firemen to look at now (even if I won't feel like sh*ing them)

LittleS and Insy it's from 37 wks that you can have a hb here too. They give you a list of what you need to have ready and then bring G&A etc with them. No firemen delivered to the door (never gone for uniforms myself, but a couple of strapping lads never go amiss .

That sounds promising about September, Littlesarah - always nice to know someone ahs faith in your abilities.

daisy I can only get the front page of that link - I guess you were trying to point us to a specific picture book? I blub at everything at the mo anyway so should probably avoid it.

Perineal massage - we were told to basically rub oil thoroughly into the entire area around the vaginal opening, and basically stretch it out in preparation for crowning. Bloody uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, we didn't bother after one giggly go at it...

I think men worry when the bump gets this big, but since rear entry is the only option I expect most of them are so sex-starved they can use mind over matter. My DH gets slightly freaked at the idea of his manhood being so close to the baby - there's not much room in there these days

lauraloo remember that those weight estimates really are guesstimates, they're often wrong.

bigcar so sorry to hear you're not getting good care. Are you doing any antenatal classes as a way of getting to know other local mums? If not, there are bound to be mum and baby groups around who will be welcoming. I came here when DD was 5 and DS 1 and 'recruited' new friends - or potential friends - in the school playground and at various church hall groups, many of whom I'm still in touch with. But it is tough actually having a baby in a new place. Hope the sun shines for you tomorrow and cheers you up

bunny - you see, you're clearly a natural and your own LO will go to sleep easy as pie!