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

[Fruitpastels]

Hope everyone can find us!

raggie I also braved central London today! And I am feeling terrible for it - mainly because there were no trains back to our house (egineering works) and so we ended up walking a ridiculously long way. Walked from Sloane Sq all the way to King's X, then back to Victoria, then a 25 min walk from a different station... Your cardi looks nice. I also got a non-maternity dress which cheered me up!! It's a 'batwing' style one and looks really nice with skinny maternity jeans. I intended to get a big cardi but had had enough. Might go to Dotty Ps in the week.

Also, think I have been having Braxton hicks all day, but only when i am walking about. They seem to go off when I sit/lie down, but were awful when we were on our ridiculously mammoth walk.

Right, Strictly then X factor - lovely!

Fruitpastels oooo interested to read that baby wipes are too harsh for newborn's skin. When you use cotton wool, do you put anything on it, or just warm water? Do you know what you are having? The girls clothes in Next also looked v appealing. Had to divert my eyes!

Katster Cotton wool balls or pads. Use a clean bowl of warm water for bums. I had 2 bowls, 1 for bums and 1 for face etc. I can't remember when I moved over to baby wipes. I'm sure the midwife will go through with all new mums re bathing, cleaning and changing nappies etc. No idea what I'm having this time around. Craving lots of sweet stuff and fruit, heard this could mean a girl.

Im having a girl and have girl clothes but am still worried that the baby might be a boy, even though we were shown her 'girl' bits on the scan, probably as im really excited to be having a girl i guess. I have packed pink clothes and also a red set just in case.

Trikken we are just packing neutrals as no-one in real life knows we know we are having a boy! So if family come down, they would be a bit surprised if we happened to have a full wardrobe of blue things!
Thanks, Fruitpastels for the tip. And the bowls thing too. All these things you just don't have a clue about! It's so scary, but exciting at the same time.... (not the poo/bowls/cleaning, but all the things that are coming up!)

I started my yoga for pregnancy/ active birth class today and it was brilliant! I felt like a new woman by the time I left and so much more relaxed about the birth (was sooo scared and really panicked last time round, which is why I'm more interested in all the active birth/ hypnosis etc this time). broodzilla was it you who was very breathless? I was really out of breath when I went into the class and felt so much better after I'd done some of the exercises. The main thing seemed to be to really concentrate on breathing out as deeply as you can, then to trust your body to breathe in by itself, and the inhale should be very easy and relaxed.

katster I have BH a lot when walking too. I can't seem to get my legs to go slow enough for my tummy.

tasja DH had mumps a couple of years ago and was completely wiped out by it, so you have my deepest sympathy. Hopefully the antibiotics will start working soon

fruitpastels thanks for the advice ill add them to my list hopefully thats the only thing i forgotten.

yeh it really scared me they say its either a urine or discharge infection just waiting on results coming through.

just bout to order a pizza hut woohoo fiance is out on his sister fiance stag night lol

xx

tigger big hugs for you & DH. Take things a day at a time.

Erika the CDs arrived safe and well, thanks! I haven't had time to listen yet, but will defo make a point of it when ML starts in 3 weeks' time.

LOL at not being able to walk slowly enough for belly. So true.

I've been busy and am feeling pretty wiped today. There are lots of bugs going round so I'm hoping I haven't caught one. My wee sis is visiting tomorrow and I was hoping to be fine enough for some shopping. I REALLY need some comfy troos that stay up!!! Any suggestions? All the ones I have that are under the bump either cut in or hang unattractively low under my bump. Any over the bump ones I have just fall down, taking my pants with them . I've heard potentially good things about Next jeans so I'm hoping my local store stocks some that I can try out! Fingers crossed. Quite like the idea of a pair of cords too. I need a long cardi too (with long sleeves for Aberdeen chill!) to hide the fact that my tops all seem to ride up at the back now too. Gosh I'm sounding so attractive!

I'm still about you organised people having washed clothes and bought equipment and packed bags. I don't think my brain can contemplate much before ML starts. I'm trying to remind myself that if my 36 week scan isn't favourable I might be booked in for a section 2 weeks later. eek.

also, anyone getting achey finger joints? It's a new one on me.... I think I might be beginning the final Swelling Up. Don't want to take my rings off for 8 weeks

i have discovered the magic key to maternity jeans - buy a huge belt and that keeps them up!

started to panic had done nothing so bought some cotton wool in mothercare and maternity pads in boots so all ready now..

anyone else got horrendous veins? had varicous veins on legs before but now they are really hideous, will have to get them done post baby and other line thread things not a good look!

ive been getting cramp in the back of my legs which is agony.

oh i remembered another thing for my list

bibs x3

It seems my latest partytrick is to wake up at stupid o'clock in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep!

Oh well, at least there's such things as wireless internet so I can keep myself entertained in bed while DH happily snores away next to me. I guess it's all good preparation for what's to come?
(I've filled up the vision box with films and short series so that I'll have something to watch while I'm hopefully breastfeeding.)

Hobnob Oh yes, achy finger joints here too. The sausages now attached to my hands are useless at gripping anything first thing in the morning but it seems to get better as the day goes on. Did end up taking my rings off the other day though. They now hang on my necklace... Not a classy look, I know, but we've only just got married so it feels wrong not to carry them at all.

Right, I've got a date with a mug of hot milk.

Morning all, especially Broodzilla. I have sleeping problems too. I'm usually getting very tired in the evening and when I'm almost asleep, I suddenly wake up again and usually there is no way of getting back to sleep until midnight. Sometimes I just get up and do something (yesterday I sorted out huge piles of paper). And I usually wake up between 5 and 6 and it is very unlikely that I fall asleep again (sometimes I do though). I try to see the positive side of it. At least I could sleep 5 hours in one go.

Laugs, I love pregnancy yoga too. It helped me a lot for all my little pains and also to calm down on stressful days. I said exactly the same, I feel like a new woman after each lesson. I can't stop telling people how great it is (even non pregnant people )

hobnob I can still wear my rings, finally my huge knuckels pay off (Normally they are very loose because I need a huge ring size to get them over the knuckel). But all of my shoes are getting really tight now.

I used to live in my H&M jeans, they really looked like normal ones but they are just too tight now too. It seems as I can only wear loose things for the last 6 weeks.
Yes, right, I've officially started the last 6 weeks.
So, since yesterday, I'm drinking three cups a day of magical pregnancy tea (recipe from the german pregnancy bible writer), eating a spoonful of linseeds and I've also started perineal massage (with a special oil, not just any ordinary vegetable oil. once again a mixture from the bible writer. My sister offered it to me. So it feels very luxurious... that's how I pamper myself nowadays)
Is any of you going to do the massage? It still feels a bit strange and I'm not sure if I'm doing it right, especially as I'm a bit scared because of my varicous veins.

And thanks to all with nice and reassuring words about labour and pain. I guess keeping in mind the reason (and the result) really helps. and of course the fact that it is not constant but on-off.

Morning all

hobnob carpel tunnel syndrome comes later in pg and makes your hands swell. It's basically more fluid retention and at times it can be sore as it presses against the ligaments etc. in your fingers.

I haven't worn my wedding/engagement rings for about 3 months now.

As for clothes, I've gone and bought leggings as they stay up (£3 from primark) and some bump bands from New Look. £10 for 3 and they're brilliant! Can still wear under the bump trousers and stay warm as they cover the gap between the trousers and my tops, plus they're brilliant for bf as they cover your tummy when it's cold.
hobnob def suitable for aberdonian winters!! I use normal long sleeved cardigans and just pull them around me, that way I can use them after too.

mummy2b yep, agonising cramps here too! Tonic water helps (quinine) and I drink it mixed with orange juice or squash to make it more palatable. I've heard bananas can help too and milk. Otherwise stretch your calves before you go to bed, stand on a stair on the ball of your foot and then push your heel downwards. Will hurt at first but then the muscle will stretch and you'll get relief.

Dreadful night's sleep last night, were out at a party so eating and drinking a little later than normal. Woke with heartburn at one point and then discomfort at many others!
DD was babysitting DS for us, and also got him up this morning - was so grateful.

Harvest festival for us today so off to raid my cupboard for tins They're then doing a meal at the church for everyone so get a full roast with all the trimmings without lifting a finger - bliss!

Oops, usi meant to say, perennial massage isn't shown to work much tbh, but if you enjoy it and it makes you feel pampered then go for it. The most important thing to do to not tear is to make sure your pushing stage is controlled.
When the baby starts to crown (you'll know as at this point it stings more than hurts) you need to pant and stop pushing. Your mw will help you to know when. This allows the perenium to stretch around the baby's head. When it's stretched you push again and (theoretically!) baby's head pops out!

morning!

ursigurke I'm intrigued by your magical pregnancy tea! I might start on the raspberry leaf today.

I've been feeling really odd for the last few days and I'm trying to work out if it's something to do with my diabetes medication (Metformin) or it's just symptoms of late pregnancy. I'm knackered all the time and keep having to go for a sleep between 5-7pm, which is really odd for me as I never sleep during the day. I'm also getting really painful stomach pains that I think are BH.
I'm going to try and get my bag packed today just in case! I really need to round up the car seat and stuff I've been offered. I'm hoping I will become much more organised when my maternity leave starts on Thurs.

Laugs Your class sounds great. Was it run at the hospital? I am finding yoga helpful in that way too but am still bloody waiting the arrival of the hypnobirthing CD that I ordered weeks ago. I think the postal strike has really messed things up - yesterday I got blood results from the hospital that were posted on 14 August... (Sorry, think I might have said that already. I am going mad, clearly)

Hobnob I got some overthebump trousers from Next which stay up v well. Also, agree with Scarlotti re Primark leggings - I have some in a 12,14,16 and 18

Weston I don't think I have varicose veins but I do have an attractive 'spider vein' ginormous pattern thing on my lower calf. It really looks gross. I heard varicose/spider veins are meant to atleast after pregnancy?? I am hoping so, anyway!

Mummy2be yes I also get leg cramps, roughly 10 times per night!! Not pleasant! Apparently the quinine in tonic water stops them, but don't have too much.

Broodzilla sorry about your sleep.... Mine's not great either. If I am asleep I seem to be having crazily vivid dreams, and also constantly aware of baby kicking me - he seems to have got really high up the last few days and has taken up residence in my ribs! Hope you got some sleep this morning.

Scarlotti enjoy the harvest festival. Am glad you said perineal massage wasn't that effective - I have been worrying about how on earth you do it!!

Lemontop Oooo I have some raspberry leaf tea in the cupboard. Am only 31 weeks though so I think this is too early for me. How many weeks are you starting it at?

Hi to everyone else! We are going to the cinema this afternoon. Anyone seen 'Away we go'? Then yoga. Then an evening of Monday Morning Dread!!

Sorry, meant to also say 'Usigurke* I am so jealous you are in your final 6 weeks!! And am also curious as to what might be in your magical tea???! Are you feeling prepared? On the one hand I am (have lots of 'stuff) but on the other, totally terrified and not sure I will ever actually be ready... Eeeeek!! So exciting though!

Ooh, final six weeks ursigurke, exciting exciting. I am only 30 weeks tomorrow.

I wonder who will be the first on this thread? Can't believe we're nearly there, seems like no time since we were all tentatively putting our names on the first list...!

Hi all

Tabby I am so sorry to hear about your bil, it must have come as such a shock to you all. Your poor dh and mil, what a horrible thing to be going through. I hope that you are ok and looking after yourself, you should speak to your midwife is you are worried about the baby although they are tough little things and you'll probably find s/he is oblivious to your anxiety. When I was due to give birth to ds my dh was taken into hospital with appendicitis and had to have appendix removed. I was in a right state worrying about him and that he would miss the birth (was 2 days over) and remember having really bad braxton hicks. Anyway my midwife said the baby would be fine, It was just me that felt horrible and that it was doubtful I would go into labour because of the fight or flight instinct, your body does not want to deal with labour on top of stress! Anyway, I know that is nothing really compared to what you are all going through but just wanted to reassure you that your baby will be doing fine, just try to relax for your own sake.

tasja hope you start to feel better soon, I had mumps when I was little and it was horrid, can't imagine how it must feel as an adult. Poor you, get well soon.

Had a lovely time away celebrating our anniversary, had a lovely dinner, bed by 10.15pm then slept through till 9am, heavan! (sorry to all of you that can't sleep at the mo but I really needed that long sleep!)

dh has taken ds shopping so I have some lovely uninterupted mumsnet time, although should really be doing the housework! Bit annoyed with him this morning though as dh went out for a bikeride for over an hour and then spent another hour getting showered and dressed. Honestly, I wish I had the luxury of taking that long to get ready, god knows what he was doing in the bathroom for that long, but it does seem to take him a good half an hour just to do a poo! sorry if tmi but why do men spend so long on the toilet, it drives me mad!!!

Anyway, enough waffling from me, hope everyone else is well and having a good weekend, I'm off to eat some cake, yum!

hey kaster27 yes i have two sets of those spider vein thingeys, did u mean they are supposed to go after pregnancy?? i hope so!

katster I'm 33+3. I wasn't sure when to start with the raspberry tea. I'd heard 32 weeks mentioned but I'm not sure. All it says on the box is to avoid in early pregnancy!

I'm washing my nighties and stuff for my hospital bag then am going to wash the baby clothes. I'm a bit worried they're going to be too small as they are newborn and baby is already rather large! Might have to pack some clothes in two sizes.

Hi all

Hope you're having nice weekends.
Had a lovely harvest festival and lunch and then went to a friends who is moving and have got some more baby stuff!
Been outbid on a sling on eBay but it's probably for the best as I really should wait until baby is here and see if he gets on with slings before I buy another one

Am 33+2 here so also on the 6 week countdown. Have a feeling he'll be a little early although not sure why! Really ought to think about packing my bag this week so it's all ready, as am sure it will be when I'm packing it that I realise what I'm missing!

Ladies, got to come on and rave (rather than moan) for a change - if anyone of you does not already have a gymball then I really, really, really recommend you go and get one.

It's been on my to-do list for weeks, and Ursi's post the other day reminded me... (btw, thanks for the height/ball size tip, I'm 173cm and went for the 75cm which is spot on it seems) DH spent the best part of an hour (so not the 10-12 minutes it says on the box) pumping it up this afternoon and ooohhh, it's definitely worth all the sweating and swearing. My gosh, I'll be sitting on it all night now. Just need to work out how to suspend myself from the ceiling so that I can sleep on it too.

And, not only is it comfy to sit on (I honestly just can't get comfortable on the sofa or in a chair now, and can't spend all day and night horizontal either...) but it's supposed to open up the pelvis so that the bean can get into the optimal birthing position. Going to see the MW on Tuesday for my 34 week check so will be interesting to see what she says about his position (although I think there's a couple of weeks to go before he'll engage?)

Anyway, that's all from me - I'll be bouncing away on my shiny new ball.

PS Katster can we have a review of "away we go"? It seems like such an appropriate film to watch in our current state!