Due November 2009 - Remember, remember we're due in November, but not yet quite ready to pop!

[Fruitpastels]

Hope everyone can find us!

Ninja, sorry to hear that you feel so bad but at least you could tell us that it didn't go too bad, so I hope you will feel soon better and focus on the positive results.

Thanks for all the congratulations for the flat but it's a bit too early for that. We have just SEEN it and I think it would be a good choice. We will discuss it tonight and then hopefully put in an offer (which we have never done before, we got our first flat here because we knew the women who lived here before us). I'm actually trying to find out how to do that but don't even know how to google that. Is there any kind of organisation who helps people writting that kind of stuff so that i could find a "model-offer" to start with?

And Trikken, this may be TMI as well but I'm actually having varicose veins in my left labia, so not only does it look terrible (almost dangerous) but it can be rather painful if I have been sitting or lying for a while. In my case, sleeping on my right side helps (only temporarily though) as the baby then drops a bit on the right side and the blood from my left leg can finally pass.

Ursi mine not looking too good either, kind of wont stay together anymore. mine hurts most of the time but what causes it most pain is walking. wondering if a cool pack may help. am wondering whether to metion it to mw at appt next week but a bit shy of mentioning it.

Trikken you should definitely mention it. After all, that's what a midwife is for. And I'm sure she will have heard about it already a lot and she might have a good tipp for you. I think I've read somewhere that cool packs help.
Do you think it is from varicose veins as well? In this case I could recommend to find a position where you think the blood flows easier. The GP had recommended being on all 4 as well (seems to work for a lot of problems) because once again, bump and baby are hanging so there is less pressure on the veins in this area.
Anyway, I think, if it's just swollen then there doesn't seem to be much we can do about it but at least it is not dangerous and will go away after the birth.

trikken I am so glad you said that! Mine is quite... er... bulgy and achey. Yuk. I was seriously hoping that is normal as I really don't want to ask someone to look at it!

ninja sorry you had such a rough time. It sounds like you did really well by DS so give yourself a big pat on the back. Hopefully you can put it all behind you now and look forward to happier times. x

erika my cds arrived today! Thanks so much, I'm really excited to try them out. The one that's not for 'preparation', is that to be used during the labour?

ursi did you mean putting in an offer on a flat to buy? Normally you just think how much you want to spend on it (+/- the asking price, depending on the market, if you have found problems with the flat etc) and tell the estate agent, they then ring the vendor and ask if they are willing to accept. If your offer is accepted, you get a solicitor (the estate agent can probably recommend one) who draws up all the papers. You also have a survey to check the property is in good condition before you proceed. Watch Location, Location, Location tonight to see how it works! (saddo alert!)

Ursi I think it probably is. thanks for the tip, will get on it.
Laugs thats what i was nervous about too. cool packs all round i think.

Hello all,

Thank you so much for all the support last night, it meant alot, thank you

I feel much better today, I've had a friend here all day so been busy chatting!

ninja Glad things have gone well in court but sorry it's been so hard on you, Hopefully a good nights sleep will help you feel better.

BBB Happy Anniversary

erika don't waste your time time worrying about your ex, maybe he has now cheated on his gf and she is checking texts? Your better off keeping away. Don't worry too much about dp's mum, sounds like you're doing as much as you can, would be good if she did buy the cot though, you could have the one you want then

laugs trikken and Ursi my bits are feeling quite sore too, hurts more after walking long distances and sitting down can be quite uncomfortable. I too felt a bit shy about mentioning it to my midwife and only brought it up because she thought I might have thrush. Not sure if it's veins though as to be honest I haven't really had a good look down there. Am afraid to look! Just hope it settles down before I give birth as can't imagine it will make the birthing experience any more enjoyable!

My midwife was telling me today about a husband who posted pictures of his wife in labour and included a picture of her bottom, piles and all! As you can imagine the wife was not happy and ordered him to remove it but not before a whole load of people saw it first. Can you imagine? I'd kill my dh if he did that!!

sleepless sorry to hear you are having a rough time of it, when is your dh due back?

Glad you're feeling better tigger

Just wondered if anyone else has read What Mothers Do by Naomi Stadlen? It is such a lovely, gentle book all about what us mothers do all day when it looks like nothing much at all. I started re-reading it last night and was nearly crying with the relief that someone acknowledges what motherhood is really like. pavlov it might be a nice present for your friend with the newborn? First timers, this is the kind of book you should read when your baby is about 3 months old

Laugs, it's actually just for renting. I was a bit surprised that we need a written offer. In Austria they tell you how much they want, there are usually no negotiations about it (but the market is definitely not as crazy as in London) and they always already have a contract, in Vienna they often use just the standard version of the council.
I guess, in this case we really have to say how much we want to pay as the original rent was a bit ridiculous and we know that he couldn't find anybody who wanted to take it. Do we need a solicitor for renting as well?
And I love Location, Location, Location and all sorts of property programs, especially property ladder, there have been quite a few funny people...

erika didn't realise you'd been sending your MIL letters etc. I'd say you're doing enough so let step-FIL sort it out and just smile and accept the cot you want

usi no solicitor for renting normally - is it through an agency?

Can't remember who has just got Call the Midwife, but it was me who suggested it - isn't it a brilliant book?!

As for swollen bits - I've had this for months now. Sometimes it's more achey than others, and I've used some Caneston cream which seems to help. I think it's all part of the last trimester - yet another joy
It makes me feel like one of those monkeys at the zoo who's bottom hangs out of their fur - not attractive at all!

Had a meeting today about some potential work, looks like it might come off which would be great. Would bring in some of the missed income from getting let off early, and has perked me right up. This time off has proved that I need to work (not that I could afford not to!) so I can finally put to bed the feelings of guilt that I'm a working mum

ursi that system you describe in Austria is the same as is normal here, so it wouldn't be at all unexpected for you to just ask the landlord what it is they need from you in this case, which seems to be an exception, rather than the norm for the UK.

scarlotti good news about the work! I think perhaps it is the nature of being freelance that makes it so hard to enjoy not working, but there is lots of other good stuff about freelancing too of course.

Who was asking for the yoga dvd? It was me who offered it, but unfortunately we have a new laptop now (the other one broke) and I don't think we have dvd rewriting software on it. I'll check with DH though.

Laugs not a problem, glad they got to you okay - again, am really really sorry for the delay Even by my standards, a month late is rediculous! So am really sorry. I hope they help The one that isn't preperation (sorry, my writing is terrible, isn't it?!) is recovery and birth music.

Tigger glad you're feeling better Will try not to be bothered by it, its just so annoying. I'm easily confused at the best of times

Helips my DP would be in a shallow grave almost immediately after I found out if he dared do that to me. How horrible!!!

Scarlotti I can go with that theory And yey for the work!!!

Ohh just had a thought - Laugs sent me the yoga DVD too, so if she can't copy, I can! (Can't remember who it was who was asking though.)

Social worker came round for her last visit earlier - had some final paper work I had to read and sign. Am amazed at how honest DP was with her, and so plesed - proud, even. He told her some really difficult things than not many people know about, and I was really touched. I know how much he was struggling with contemplating it.

Slightly embarssing question - if I don't wear a bra at the moment, will I get saggy boobs after? Even my non-wired one is uncomfortable - with Bryn pushing up, its just too annoying to wear it much.

laugs - thanks for the book recommendation. A friend of mine has a three month old, it looks perfect!

scarlotti - such good news! I hope it works out. I can't imagine not working at the moment, no matter how much I'm looking forward to the break. I'd really love to move from the structured office job to working at home for myself. That's a little project for the maternity leave - find more clients! I hope it's not completely delusional on my part...

Yep, bits have changed here too. I've always been prone to thrush, just had a bout cleared. But this is different, it feels swollen and like it's too big and heavy. And almost bruised.

Hi Everyone

I don't know how many times I have made a resolution to keep up to date with what's going on with everyone and yet somehow, here I am once again apologising for not keeping in touch! I've been trying to get chance to post something for ages but with DD playing up going to bed, having yet another cold and people ringing me most nights, it's been virtually impossible!

Lemontop I completely sympathise with the crappy diet. Thanks to my gallstones and infection, I'm on a virtually fat-free diet, so can't have anything I like. I had a bit of a hormonal moment earlier and had to leave the room when DH was eating a succulent steak, cooked just the way I like it while I sat pushing a plain baked potato round my plate! Be strong and just think that when the pregnancy's over, you'll be able to enjoy food again. I keep making up a "first meal" in my head of what I want to cook for myself once I've had my op - some of my friends had sex fantasies/dreams when they were pregnant, I just fantasise about food!! Just keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to have my gallbladder out before xmas so that I'll be able to tuck into a roast.

Ninja I hope that in the morning things look a little better after today. You've been so strong by the sound of it, when many people would have just fallen to bits. We're all behind you xx

So I'm in a more positive mood since my last depressing post ages ago. I finish work on Friday, as I've got 5 weeks hols to take before I start my actual maternity leave and this week is going sooooo slowly! I can't wait to be able to put my feet up for a bit while DD is at nursery. The baby is so active and apparently is in the perfect position for birth, ironically given that I'm having a Caesarean. Is anyone else being booked in for a planned section?

I love the names that everyone is coming up with. We just can't decide at all, I think because we were so convinced we were having another girl and I had my heart set on Esme (I'm sure someone else posted that they liked that name after Esme Weatherwax - my inspiration too!). Just have to keep looking I guess...

About the whole, er, swollen issue. I have noticed things getting a little bigger down there but my main concern is how hairy my abdomen is getting - I think I'm going to have to shave it or something before I next see my midwife as I look like a werewolf who's swallowed the full moon!

Anyway, I've said it before but I'll say it again - I really really will make more time for MN, particularly from next week since I will be desperate for human contact! We're on the home straight, ladies, woohoo!

Morning all!
I have just been massively sick and it was completely black from the iron. Urgh. Is everyone else taking it with food? My GP told me to take before food to make it more effective, but every morning I feel sick from taking it.

erika I listened to the relaxation cd last night and it was so relaxing I fell asleep. I think I must have still been taking it in though as I woke up at the end of the track. I am intrigued to hear the birth preparation one, but am not yet 32 weeks, so will have to wait!

wizzywoo I'm glad you're feeling more upbeat about everything. I snuck a look at your profile and noticed you work in the NHS. Are you in a hospital? DH works at the Freeman.

Oh, also wizzywoo, not sure if you go to Newcastle much, but I am going to start going to a Yoga for Pregnancy class at Dance City this Saturday. I'm quite excited. I know the teacher as DD sometimes goes to a children's class she runs, and she is fab.

laugs yuck! Sorry to hear that. I take mine about an hour after breakfast. Then, if I remember, one in the afternoon and/or evening. I always leave it well after food though. My GP told me this would be OK, not the most efficient, but I am taking two or three a day. I have to say that I still drink tea, so not sure how that interferes with the intake...

Have you tried taking the tablet with a glass of orange juice, so that your tummy has something to get busy with? Some ladies on here mentioned Spatone, that's supposed to be better to tolerate.

Yes I'm still drinking tea too. I've been prescribed two a day, but GP said I could just take one (because of constipation), but I must take it on an empty stomach. I might have to have it with food, but up the dosage.

Laugs, as I don't have to take iron tablets I'm not an expert but as far as I know VitC helps to absorb it better, that's why it's usually recommended to be taken with a glass of orange juice. And tea has the opposite effect, so the body absorbs less of the iron. Doesn't rooibus (sp?) tea have a similar taste to normal tea? Maybe you could switch to that. I'm not a big tea drinker and have never tried it, so no idea if it is true.
As for the constipation problem (but I guess you have read enough of this), I'm having a muesli with quite a few dried fruits in it every morning and I usually eat a piece of fresh fruit as well. I think it's best to do that in the morning as I might forget about it during the day.
And in my German midwife bible (a but on the hippie side and not always totally up to date I think), she recommends taking a spoonful of linseeds every day from 33 weeks as preparation for an easy birth ... apparently it makes the baby just slip out! And it is supposed to have the same effect on your bowel. (So 2 good reasons to take it). But if you do take it you need to drink enough water as otherwise it might lead to more constipation. I think someone on here has actually already recommended linseeds?

About the flat: We have decided to make an offer, hopefully they will accept (as we are offering a much lower price and will only be able to move around the 10th of october)

And I've got a text message that the cot will be delivered today (not as agreed next tuesday), I've answered that I will be in only until 1pm, so lets hope they get here in time!!!)

kyte fab news on the car!

Linseed is good for that particular problem. I can't imagine drinking any more than I do now - wouldn't be able to leave the loo!
I'm hoping that even though I drink tea I manage to absorb some iron with two or three tablets a day...

I have exactly four weeks left to work. It's starting to feel like the time is approaching now...

Hi all - full of cold and feeling crappy!! I'm taking the iron tablets first thing on a morning (with glass of orange juice) and then in the evening (again with orange juice), nothing was mentioned to me about with or without food, but I am finding, that rather than constipation as expected, i'm getting dodgy tummy and going the other way! Joy!!
I'm drinking tea, but we drink decaff in our house anyway so shouldn't make a difference.
Laugs - that sick sounds disgusting!!

Kyte - how exciting about the car! We heard yesterday that our should be ready to collect the week after next - very excited as we've been waiting for a date for ages.

Wizzy -love the name Esme (it was on our shortlist of 2 when DD was born, her name is vey similar, but I was so dazed after the birth I let DH chose and as went the other way!!) would put it on our list this time, but feel it's sort of been 'used' now as it was DD's reserve!

ursi - if you pour some boiling water - not much - over linseed they go all soft and gooey (don't want to say snot-like). Then they are easier to swallow and I should imagine don't clog things up.

I like the sound of your German midwife bible. When was it written? Does it have any other unusual tips you could share? Don't you love those old books - they can be equally informative and quaint.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for good news on the flat for you.