Due November 2009 - we just can't stop chatting!

[BeckyBendyLegs]

A new thread!

Hi all, hope you had a nice bank holiday. Welcome to all the newbies!

turtle I'm so sorry you've decided to split, but hopefully you feel a bit better than the limbo of last week. Do you think you can manage living together for a few months? Please use us as a sounding board if you want to.

I was so annoyed with DH yesterday over something quite pathetic - it was my lie-in but he'd been out the night before, so didn't want to get up with DD. When he finally did get up, he was obviously just lying comatose on the sofa, as DD kept coming and waking me every 5 minutes. I told him to go back to bed and I took her out - he didn't get up til 2pm when we got back! I was soooo angry. Our alternating lie-ins at the weekend are about as close as we get to a religion... What makes him think his hangover is more important than his pregnant wife getting a rest? etc etc. (I did go on a bit ) Apparently I am lying in both days next weekend, so have to make sure I make the most of it. Must remember to buy myself some breakfast in bed snacks...

ninjacat meant to ask you about the Banksy exhbition. Did you get to meet the elusive man himself??

erika and raggie sorry sorry, our laptop is still broken so I'm going over to a friends' this afternoon to copy the yoga dvds. You should have them by tomorrow!

laugs believe me i know how you feel. my fiance has to older children of 9 and 7 from his previous marriage and we have them at the weekends sometime all weekend if we do i say ill get up one day and hime the next but it never works he is always the one lying in which annoys me. also he 7 year old son thinks its ok to jump into bed with us as soon as he gets up which is between 6 and 7 which im not to happy with if it was later then id be fine with it, just that i need my rest you know.

anyone from bristol

xx

mummy2b grobags eliminate the feet to foot dilemma. Try not to get too worried about all the things you're told, you will be the best judge of what is best for your baby when he/she arrives as you'll know them best.
I had my dd quite young (19) and hardly read up about it. I used to feed her lying down at 4am then fall asleep. Would wake most mornings at around 8am to her crying for next feed from under my duvet Am sure that would be a no-no but she was fine and is now 15!

Hi everyone. Welcome to all the new people evnstar, lifeofkate, mummytobe, mum27. Good luck to you all for the last few months / weeks!
mum27 - wow, if I read correctly this will be your 8th child!! You must have accumulated a huge amount of wisdom so far, I hope you will be able to share some of it with us novices! I am another for whom it will be dc1.
turtle - I don't know what to say but I hope that you are feeling ok and things will be more peaceful now you have made a firm decision.
skoripion - pleased to hear about the mothercare support belt. It's been a real godsend for me.
On the subject of baby sleeping bags - I love them! They just look so so cute. I'm a bit confused as to when you can start using them though, as there seems to be some conflicting advice. Is there a specific weight the baby needs to be before you can use them? And why is that?
Had a lovely long weekend, we went to the wedding of some really good friends of ours and I managed to stay up and dance until almost 2am! But was totally wiped out the next day. Also we met DH's colleague's 6-week old baby boy who was totally adorable and has made me really excited for having our own little baby soon.

I didn't realise there were weight/age lower limits for the sleeping bags. I used them from very early on with DS. The first week or two I swaddled him for a comfort/settled feel but soon moved to the grobags.

Another tip we were given which worked a treat, was to roll up t-shirts and put them by the baby's side in the moses basket. It sort of wedges them in and makes them feel cocooned. If you and your dp/h sleep with the t-shirts for a few nights first too, then they smell of you so help baby to feel you're close.

Hi Everyone

It's been ages since I last logged into MN so I haven't checked up on what everyone's been up to in August (except for talking lots!!)

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation turtle but I hope everything is more settled by the time baby comes along.

I haven't been on MN for ages because there's been yet more problems in my pregnancy from hell (I'm now at the point where DH has been told that if he doesn't get the snip after we've had DS2, I'll chop the whole lot off myself...). I was rushed to hospital in agony in early August with excrutiating pain in the top right part of my bump. After having a scan, it turns out I have lots of gallstones, which apparently some people can have and never know about their whole lives until they're picked up when looking for something else. Unfortunately pregnancy can cause major problems if you have them. I'd developed an infection in my gall bladder so was on a drip in hospital for days as I was vomiting with the pain, couldn't keep anything down and needed strong antibiotics and painkillers. I was on the maternity ward since they had to keep an eye on baby (who is fine) so at least I got a sneak preview of what to expect.

So now I'm on an extremely low-fat diet, which being someone with dreams of publishing their own cookbook in the next few years is an absolute killer. So many foods make me ill or in pain so I've got a tiny diet. I've lost nearly 2 stone in weight and am worried about what all this will be doing to baby. I'm also picking up every infection or bug doing the rounds thanks to my crappy diet. I've been told I can be a little less exclusive once I've had the baby but until them, I run a high risk of getting another gallbladder infection so I'm really struggling to find food to eat.

On the plus side, the weight loss and time spent lying flat on my back in hospital and recuperating afterwards has helped my SPD, so I've now ditched the crutches although the pain hasn't gone completely.

Since I was in hospital, DD has become soooo clingy and her sleep routine is completely out. Her behaviour is becoming unbearable with 17 tantrums yesterday (I counted as a matter of interest), complete with headbanging, biting, hitting - she's a little monster and I don't like her at the moment. She's now in her own room and gets up constantly through the night. Putting her back again and again isn't working so DH has started sleeping in a makeshift bed in her room to try and stop her getting up. Not ideal I know but until I'm on maternity leave, I just can't cope with the lack of sleep and getting up to work.

DH took her off my hands yesterday while I sat and sobbed all day. I'm soooo sick of everything going wrong. I'm finishing work in 3 weeks but wish it was sooner. I'm so sorry to put on a really long post but I feel so low right now and just need someone to understand. DH is trying his best but his life hasn't changed at all by the pregnancy whereas mine has been flipped upside down.

I'm glad everyone has been feeling their babies moving - even if it's painful, it's a great feeling. I "caught" a foot yesterday, when the baby pushed it really far out in my side. It was funny feeling it scuttling away.

Again, apologies for the ridiculously long post and such a negative one at that. I promise to post a more positive message next time xx

(and a special tip of the hat to mum27, you'll surely be our resident guru?)

Turtle so sorry to hear your news - on the other hand, sometimes the decision is the most difficult step, and you might find that things now just "click" into place. We're all here for you.

Southernbelle Fingers x-ed that the school start means more sleep all around!

Lemon Glad you've got support from MN re: the GD! And at an early baby... but at least you can get on with the good stuff sooner!

Wizzy Sorry to hear about your news - must be really hard to be on such a restricted diet, food is one of the few indulgences we're allowed in pregnancy! Hopefully it just means you'll be all the more eager to get your book published afterwards, when you're allowed to get back to enjoying cooking and eating again.

Laugs for you and DH's hangover trumping sleeping for his pregnant DW! You'd better have your breakfast served in bed next weekend!

Scarlotti Fingers x-ed for you on the work front, and thanks for the t-shirt tip!

Eeyore and Skorpion Glad you had such nice weekends!

Raggie Hope the next few weeks whizz by for you.

Erika Me too, with the nightmares... really disturbing, but sure it's all down to hormones being in overdrive. Also, I think our minds like to play out the worst case scenarios...

Must say I'm feeling really happy and positive, finally! The house is all sorted (DH even painted the kitchen, so not only is everything baby-related ready, the house has had a facelift all around.) and hospital bags are packed. Went to see the MW this morning for my 31 week check-up and between last night and this morning the bean has turned so is now head first and ready to go! I got so excited that I had a little cry! (He's been transverse so far, so I'm so relieved!) Signed up for pregnancy yoga but it's been cancelled due to the teacher being ill, so I'll spend the evening baking a B-day cake for DH instead. I'm sure it's far more fun!

Just one thing - please, please all of you check with your MW about antenatal classes if you're planning/wanting to go. I've been waiting for them to tell me when I can go, and finally asked today only to be told that September is all booked up and the ones in October run right at the end, finishing on the 27 which is 5 days before the due date...

Right, must go bake a cake.

scarlotti thanks for the tip sweet im going to try that

thanks girls for all the tips and advice on the grow bags

xxx

Welcome to all the new joiners I look forward to getting to know you all

I hope nobody minds, I got the list (hope it's the most up to date one?) so you can all add your details if you'd like too?

Turtle I am so sorry to hear the outcome for you. I can imagine though just how it can be a relief to know for certain one way or the other. I hope you have plenty of support around you. We are always at the end of the pc for you too

mum27 WOW! I thought I was mad and I'm only on number 5 lol! Well done you
How old are your other dc's?

wizzy sorry to hear you've been having such a tough pregnancy. I really hope things start looking up for you soon. It must be awful feeling like that

Julietbat #2 EDD 28 Oct,
Pinkfizzle #1 EDD 28 Oct, SE London
Koumak #2 EDD 28 Oct (TBC), North London, UCHL
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Broodzilla #1 EDD 2 Nov BOY
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Piper #1 & #2 EDD 6 Nov, Twins!
BonyM #? EDD 6Nov,
Leannabanana #3 EDD 6 Nov,
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Trikken #2 EDD 6 Nov, SW Dorset
Tabbykat #2 EDD 7 Nov, Kent
Scarlotti #3 EDD 7 Nov,
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Gro bags are a must!! used them for both my two, you can get them from newborn (the 0-6m) shouldn't be used from newborn I don't think (but not positive), unless baby is huge. I think i put ours in 0-6 at about 2months, swaddled for first few wks.

Well went for consultant appt, 1000 at hospital - as told by MW on friday to discover there was no clinic and no consulatant there -bloody great. IT's a 35min journey and had to sort childcare for DCs. Had chat with a MW who checked my results to discover that the MW who gave me the results had misread them (my glucose level was 6.4 which on a random blood test is high but following a GTT up to 8 is normal) so it was a totally wasted journey (and stress) as I don't have GD!!! Bloody annoying but positive I suppose!

Lemon - they said (if I had of had it!!) the would have controlled it via diet (quite a bland one by the sunds of it!), would have had to attend the diabetes clinic (consultant attends) as well as normal MW appts and would have had at least one growth scan. Dependant on the growth scan they would have induced little bit early/at due date or let me go naturally if size looked fine.

On the way home decided to pop into Chippy and beg them to let me go there - it worked!!!! Spoke with Naomi (for those who know CHIPPY!)who said so long as I have another strep B test at 36 wks and it is clear I can go - yippee!!!! Was nearly crying when called DH to let him know. this pregnancy has been one stress after another, so hopefully this is the end of it.

Wizzy - hope things get a bit easier for you, doesn't sound like fun x

Hi everyone, and big wave to the Newbies! Hope your pregnancies have been uneventful (in the nicest possible way!) so far!

Raggie I was back at work today too. Only to do classroom stuff so not official yet. Found it exhausting and nearly fainted - I realised I had been stood up or moving relatively heavy things like book boxes / files etx for 4 hours solid and not eaten! Just got home and literally collapsed on the settee - I had never thought my job was overly physical, but actually, I am always stood up and am just going to have to make sure I change a few things I think.

Turtle I am so sorry to read about your situation. Do you feel in any way 'better' that the decision is made, if that makes sense? As others have said, please come and sound off here if you feel you can.

Pleased to read about GroBags - had read about them and invested in a couple - although am worrying now as they are not the 'official' Gro bag make. Can I ask, when you swaddled for the first couple of weeks, did you use a proper swaddling blanket like they sell on the NCT website or did you manage with something else? Can you tell I haven't got a clue?! Also, can someone please enlighten me: what are muslin squares for?! Have been told by numerous people to get them, and I have no idea what they are / what purpose they serve!

Katster - I have a mix of Grobags and other makes - so long as you know the tog (ie summer or winter) there's no issue - often you jus pay for the name! Regarding swaddling - in hospital they just use a normal blanket, I was given a light swaddling blanket which made it quite easy, but I don't think i'd have spent the money on one myself - quite easy to learn with a normal blanket (so long as it's not too warm for baby)

Muslin squares are for - EVERYTHING!!! I've used them for;
covering myself whilst BF (bit of modesty in public)
drying baby's bottom
wiping faces after feeds
used to mop up ater sicky baby
used folded in half as a bib
mopping up spills of anything
swaddling DS as summer baby (lighter than blanket)
DH uses old ones to strain chicken stock!
and loads of other stuff I can't think of at the moment.

Swaddling can be done with any blanket and if you ask the midwife after you have given birth, they should show you how to do it. it is easy. And buying a 'swaddling blanket' is a waste of money, unless of course you really want one! Same as a grobag, brand name is there to take advantage of first time mothers!!! .

I used a grobag with DD from about 3 months as she loved being swaddled, and also we had a heatwave and it was very hot, she would have burned up in one!

Grobags are the best thing ever invented. Both DSs loved them.

I made my own swaddling sheets for DS2. I didn't even know you could buy them. You can use any blanket. Both DSs loved being swaddled.

I'm in Wales again! In the caravan and it has been chucking it down. We brought DH with us this time. DH hates rain!

It chucked it down here today too - DD was talking about the rain and I said it was very heavy - so she wanted to know "how do you carry it"??!!

Lemontop I have stretch marks all in the area I can?t see! They?re on the sides too, so can notice those ones? Boots pregnancy body butter does wonders though, has calmed mine down so much

Trikken thanks so much, so sweet of you Actually, I did sleep better last night. I put the hypnobirthing CD on, although it says to listen to it when you?re not sleeping for the best results. I had the best nights sleep I have had in months, and woke up feeling very calm. Think I might well put it on again tonight!!

Scarlotti that the pole turned up! And PLEASE come to the meal ? don?t make me do it by myself!! Plus I?m nosy, have been talking away on here to you for six months, and DP has met you hehe!!

Welcome Mum27

Laugs well that?s simply not good enough No problem ? I still haven?t copied those CDs for you Will do that and send them off tomorrow. Really sorry for the delay.

Wizzy I don?t know quite what to say? I hope everything gets easier for you soon. Here if you need to talk. Thinking of you. X

Broodzilla glad to hear you?re feeling good Could you bake me a cake, please?

Beepbeep awww at your DD that?s so cute

Well I didn?t like the idea of the sleep bags but as you?re all raving about them, maybe I?ll get a few. Gotta be worth trying if so many people think they?re fab.

I had a really nice day ? though was quite funny, the girl I went out with has just started formula feeding because her daughter wasn?t putting on enough weight, and when I held her she was trying to latch on to me through my clothes!! Think Bryn was getting jealous, he was kicking like mad while I was holding her, and as soon as I gave her back he stopped Gonna be a Mummy?s boy I think!

Ohhhh the new film of Dorian Grey is coming out on the 9th, I actually cannot wait

Would anyone like a twelve year old boy? My brother is driving me bonkers.

wizzy so sorry to hear you've been having such a tough time. Hope you're feeling a little better now and managing to handle the restricted diet.

I used to swaddle with a sheet - one of the flat pram sized ones, the flannelette ones are really soft. I would then add blankets on top of ds as needed. It's amazing how most little ones love it - although I've known a few that can't stand it too!!

We had hailstones at one point here today - cue a fascinating conversation with DS about them coming from rain clouds etc. whilst he worked out in his own mind how they are made

Anyone else been feeling a bit ... well inconsequential is the only way I can describe it? Am sure it's my hormones and also a downer at having my job cut short, but am finding myself feeling quite sorry for myself. Feel as though I'm just here to make the baby now, and that the real me is lost somewhere.
Part of me wants to just stamp and shout 'what about me?!' in a toddler fashion!

It's so hard to catch up with this thread.

Wizzy how awful, Hope you are on the mend.

Beep will you be doing anything to clear the strep before 36wks?

Laugs Mr B likes to keep himself to himself (not too difficult to figure out who he is though)

Mummy2be I am in Bristol.

Have GTT test tomorrow. Hungry already at the thought of not eating.

Had odd dream about being on a game show where all the women were in labour

Too tired to type, will catch up with rest soon.

Ninja - much to the amusement of DH I spent a good hour las night looking up garlic remedies!! I get on well with my MW and see her this aft so will ask her, but best I've found is eat garlic, garlic and more garlic - inserting garlic for 8 days before test, then once a week up to birth to keep it away.
I know what you mean about the GTT and hunger, I was starving, but I often (I know I shouldn't) go without breakfast - I think it's just cause you can't eat that makes the difference. We went to pizza express afterwards - think that's what got me through!

Scarlotti - I know EXACTLY how you feel!

beepbeep that's great news about Chippy! Keep up that garlic-munching and hopefully all will clear up in time.

wizzy sorry to hear you're having such bad time. Try to get as much rest as possible and think of the end result.

scarlotti not inconsequential as such, just feeling a bit scared at how quickly things come to pass, no matter how much you try to hold on to them. Still scared of the time I have a baby in my arms and how that's it, I can't stop the time escaping and things will never be the same... But on the other hand I can't wait to meet the little blighter

It's been chucking it down in Wales too - the rain woke me up with a fright last night!

Beepbeep the garlic thing sounds amazing.

Ninja hope your GTT test goes well this morning. It's the hunger part that's the worst I think! But then I love my food...

beepbeep hope the strep-B gets sorted out.

Feeling a bit better today. Waffled on to DH about it all last night and for once he stopped the tv watching and listened! felt a bit better to have just got it off my chest. Going to do some budgets today to see exactly what the damage is of no work - will either make me feel worse or better by the end but has to be done

erika will try to make Saturday but am having to be careful money wise now due to the work thing. Will let you know either way - am sure we'll meet at some point if it's not to be Saturday.

ninja what part of bristol you from.

erikamaye lol aobout your little brother my sister is 21 and i used to say that bout her before i moved to bristol lol

katster - know what you mean about exhaustion being back at school. I only prepared an INSET and had a short meeting and I conked out at 9pm!

beepbeep good news about Chippy!

Giggling at the questions about 'heavy rain' and working out hailstones. One of the best things about being a primary school teacher is learning what children think about these things...and the moment when they discover how others work! Magic.

Hello to all newbies - welcome!

Very sorry to hear a few are having a hard time . Life's hard enough but coping with things whilst pregant really doesn't help.

Scarlotti totally feeling you on the whole feeling "blah" front. Just feel a bit down, but had a lovely 28 week growth scan yesterday so felt a bit better. Baby is lying with her legs over her head! Didn't look comfortable at all .