Officially blooming part 2

[blue76]

Thought I'd start a new thread as there were only 3 posts left!

Longer is better than wider (thinking of the birth iyswim)

Starting to think of the birth now - I know I shouldn't. I had an epidural before as I was induced (drip) and it as so painful. The epidural only worked on one side. Ouch.

Blinder- at my 20 weeks 0 day scan my baby had a head circumferance that measured 21 weeks. Maybe big head means big brain- teehee

Not thinking about the birth too much yet - is the anticipation / fear worse for first-timers or for you more experienced mums? Suppose that depends on your experience?

I have been looking at my options for maternity leave. Fifty-six get ups for me (love that term, blue). Decided to start formal mat leave at 38 weeks. My boss is pretty flexible about me either saving the rest of my annual leave to tack to the beginning of the maternity leave or work short weeks for most of the summer, depending on how I feel. It looks like I could take a couple of full weeks off and only have to work one five-day week between now and then...

I went to visit family on my own this weekend, as DP was away. The trip normally takes about 3 1/2 hours each way in the car, with an overnight stay. It's something I've been doing every 4 or 6 weeks for years, but now the family are worried about me travelling on my own and think that DP should be more attentive. It never occurred to me that it would be a problem, as I've not had any problems in pregnancy so far. Anyone else think that they are over-reacting, or am I being complacent? I did take the journeys pretty steady and stopped around half way. And I took my pregnancy notes with me, just in case.

Hope you are feeling ok now mummyhill, and that you had a good visit with your nan.

Minshu - don't take any notice of me. Ds's birth was long and painful but I forgot all about it the minute he was handed to me I think I'm actually more worried this time because I've lost 4 babies since having ds so it makes me more aware of how precious this lo is - ergo I worry more.
How do you feel about the driving? If you feel ok and don't find it too exhausting maybe you could continue for a while but stop driving when it becomes too much - maybe at around 30 weeks or when your bump gets too big (which ever comes first).

Sorry about your losses, ladylush. I can understand why you worry.

To be honest, I have no problem with the driving at the moment. I find it much more tiring in the winter when it's dark (ironically, just like it was before I'd told anyone in January and February, when I was knackered all the time and I was feeling guilty about not visiting often enough).

DP is feeling guity now (unnecessarily IMO) and will be coming with me from now on, anyway.

Minshu - trouble is now that he is feeling guilty he'll feel terrible sat at home while your doing that long drive. So he may as well come with you. Company for you on the journey Is there an option to go less often - as a compromise?

you're

Hi all,

congrats on the girl bigbang!!

Mummyhill - oh bless you! That must have been awful - glad everythings ok tho!!

Blinder - I tried a hypnobirthing cd when I was pregnant with dd, can't say it worked as well as it obviously does for some - it just depends how each individual takes to being hypnotised - altho I didn't listen to it as much as I should have! I did find it helped me tho - there was a period during my labour where I really used what I'd learnt on the cd and it helped me a lot - I'd definately reccommend it - and this time I'll be listening to it every day in the last few weeks!

Minshu - my family and friends live a 4hour drive away and like you I make the trip regularly, can't say me doing the drive has even been brought up as an issue tho! In my last pg I wasn't going as often as I was still in full time work but I think I did my last trip oooop north when I was about 32 weeks (I'm usually on my own too as dp's job is very demanding - and I actually quite like time on my own with my girlies when I'm back home up there iykwim!) - I'll be doing the trip 2 or 3 more times before this one's due - but I guess just see how you feel - if your not suffering from tiredness, and you still fit behind the wheel - there's no reason not to do the drive on your own!

I'm totally nesty too - I was all the way through with my last pg aswell! I'm going to Greece for a week on wed and I'm really not that fussed about going!! I just feel like such a 'home bird' when Im pg - being abroad just doesn't appeal!! - Some one give me a slap FFS!

Yes, thanks fairysparkles - the way I see it, any tool is a useful tool when push comes to shove! I must start listening to mine soon. I'm waiting to see the hypnobirthing teacher first - just so I start off the right way.

nitnat - yes mine measured 21+weeks at the 20 week scan too (lengthwise) but only 19 widthwise .

Don't let me start everyone off thinking about the birth. I've been thinking about it since I saw the blue line, but then, I'm that sort of person. The more I think about it, the calmer I will get.

Re: driving. I'm off to Kent for the weekend from South Wales and plan to stop for wees and stretching as often as possible!

RE giving birth - I think about it, dream about giving birth to Chucky-like babies who can talk etc etc... I know that when 36 weeks comes along, I'll be shouting, 'get her out!' from the rooftops...I'm a bit of a weirdo in that I love giving birth

38 gegt-ups now - I work in a school so will just take maternity leave when they break up for summer hols. I might go back for a week in Sept, haven't decided yet.

Thanks for the lovely messages. Yes it was quite scary and I still feel a bit sore. I will be taking it easy again today. Was nice to see Nan she was sat up chatting and they are going to get Occupational Therapy to assess whether she can go home with lots of support from McMillan team and the family.

thanks ladylush and daffodilli and everyone for your congrats on scan. I'm glad everyone's pregnancy is going pretty well - Im' sure all the bits and pieces will move themselves into the right places eventually! I'm getting lots of movement, almost enough to be felt on the outside too! I hope this doesn't mean a wriggly active baby when it's born!
I seem to have a flatter bit on the front of my bump, and I think a different shape to last time - old wives' tales as to sex?!
I haven't seen my last scan measurements, but will post when I do! No maternity leave for me, as me and my husband work for our own company - we don't let our employees have time off ;) I'll take a couple of weeks before and after the birth, I guess. We do get a little help from the govt though - they pay us the basic maternity pay pus a few percent to allow us to employ someone else. Last time we spent it on the warehouse rent!
Hope things are getting better with you and your Nana mummyhill!

I'm a teacher too and I'll be going back in september blue76. I'm due the 29th so maybe earlier than you. My head actually suggested this.

We go back on the 3rd which is a Thursday and I know that the Thursday and the Friday are inset days. So an easy week. I'll then go in for another week and I'm hoping I'll get to make resources.

I only work three days a week anyway and think that if I can always start my leave after the insets if I want to.

Otherwise my maternity pay will get sucked into my holidays and with only 3 days a week pay and TBH We will need the money.

I know often teachers will start their leave on the 1st September, rather than the 31st of August. Then their August pay is for a full month.

Thanks for the opinions on driving. I think my family are being a little over-sensitive. Before I got pregnant it was taken for granted that I'd travel, even though I was working ridiculous hours and under considerable stress at times. DP's family live in a similar general direction, so we can kill two birds with one stone in future. Happy to use their concern as a bit of an excuse, to be honest, as I'm feeling more of a homebird than usual, too, fairysparkles .

Be careful not to overdo things, hulihoops. My best friend has her own business and was getting phone calls round the clock the moment she came out of hospital with my god-daughter. Although, you've done it before, so I'm sure you can manage

I'm feeling quite impatient now - very preoccupied with thoughts of the baby. Still a long way to go though as I'm only 23 weeks. 5 weeks til 3rd trimester. Ho hum

I'm feeling pretty much the same, Ladylush. Dying to meet our little troublemaker. Yet at the same time, trying to remind myself that having my own identity for the next 4 months should be cherished...as well as the quality time I have with dd's and then dp (when dd's are at their dad's).

Peachygirl - I'm a TA (don't think I could handle beig a teacher!) Some people have suggested taking mat leave from 1st Sept. I'm due on the 20th. I want to work as long as possible, so I'm off for longer with baby.

I'm glad you're ok, Mummyhill. Mcmillan nurses are wonderful. They were a huge support to my friend's mum and family.

I know what you mean, ladylush. Really want to meet this little wriggly thing properly!! Need all that time to get everything ready for her, though...

Blue and Peachygirl- I am a teacher as well! I am due on the 14th and am working up until the end of summer term and taking maternity leave from 1st September. So nice getting full pay for 6 weeks school holidays. I think a lot of people who work in schools try for a september baby. Saying that we didnt try just worked out that way. So exciting.
Off sick today Had terrible heartburn yesterday that moved into my stomach. Was up all night being sick. Such crippling pain. All alone this week as well as hubby is away on year 6 school trip
Poor me! Feeling sorry for myself hehe

i'm counting down the weeks too - i had ds at 38 weeks, so i'm kind of hoping for a similar time frame!

Hi all
I have a flat front to my stomach too now- though it's all new territory having 2 at once. (I still can't get my head around it!) Someone said I had a neat bump yesterday so I measured my TPT and it is 9.5 . She was being kind obviously. Dp home from Germany for a few days this afternoon I hope he likes the new car! I haven't seen him for nearly 3 weeks so I can't wait. I am now 23 weeks and very impatient as well- I am beginning to feel disabled by my bump which is horrid anyway but for someone doing a minimum of 4 hours exercise a day is like torture.

Ooh glad it's not just me feeling impatient.
A lot of teachers on this thread. My friend is a teacher and she said they have to start maternity leave at 7 months due to safety reasons. Maybe it varies depending on LEA.

You have to have a certificate from doc to say you are in good enough health to continue working in the 11 weeks leading up to birth. I finish at the end of my 31st week of pregnancy. Only 7 working weeks left more me!

My friend said her LEA insist on pregnant employees going on mat leave at 7 months. That means she had to return to work when baby was only 4 months old.

Which LEA is that?

Bloody ell! We work up until as late as possible. One of my colleagues leaves on Friday and she'll have 13 days til due date. My boss collared me as I was finishing today and said he wants to speak to me tomorrow about my maternity leave. I've never heard of having to take mat leave at 7 months though! That's quite harsh - the baby would be so little when mat leave ends. I get more rest at work than I do at home sometimes!! Which LEA are you with Nitnat? I'm Wirral