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

[Fruitpastels]

Hope everyone can find us!

Oh, and confession time... All those cute clothes I've lovingly been washing and folding? They're ALL size 0-3. Because I thought 0-3 months meant newborn - 3 months.
I saw some "tiny baby" ones, but assumed they were for premies. All this talk about newborn sizes is making me go .
Please tell me I don't have to go shopping again...

yes nothing is straightforward brodzilla as there is not just one but many! there is low weight but that is under 7llbs and prob waste of money for majority, then there is newborn which u prob need a pack or two of but in the main 0-3 months is the best invesetment! of course everyshop will have different sizes for each also..H&M and marks smaller, next bigger, can't remember about mothercare...

mmm kyte your lunch sounds delish! I've just had a lovely roast dinner cooked by dh, have been eating cake all day so think I should refrain from having dessert! I know what you mean about those first 6 weeks, saw my best friend a few weeks ago who has a dd the same age as my ds and a 6 week old, it brought it all back for me plus made me realise what we are going to be going through second time round, aaarrghh

Am 33 weeks tomorrow, where has the time gone?! Have washed some more things for the baby, plus ordered on-line lots of things like breast pads, maternity pads, big knickers etc (and bought some rather cute red converse for ds, so cute!!) Will have to start thinking about packing the hospital bag, even though planning a home birth I know that might not end up being the case!

broodzilla agree with you re the birthing ball, got dh to fetch mine down from the loft and it is soooo comfy, unfortunately ds thinks it is a new toy for him and likes to chase the cat around the house with it, poor thing!

Right, I'm off to watch strictly come dancing recorded from last night and then off to bed, that's about as exciting as life gets at the moment!

The best thing about my birthing ball is that DS can't climb up on to my desk as he could with my desk chair. Heh. Unfortunately, when I do lift him on to my lap, he just wants to be bounced up and down!

I had another great meeting with the doula. She asked a lot of questions about how (and where) I was hoping to labour at home. I explained that my mother was coming to take care of DS, and that I might need the doula to run interference for me - ie I want my mother (the anxiety-prone drama queen) downstairs with DS, and NOT upstairs with me telling me horror stories she read in the Daily Mail! I'm honestly feeling gladder and gladder that we hired her - my poor community midwife always seems to be crazily busy and running at least half an hour behind on her clinics, so it's good to have somebody else to talk to about pregnancy and labour stuff.

We finally bought a new carseat for the little one as well (our one for DS was second-hand when we got it, and is now past the five year mark). It's strange looking at it and thinking about bringing a tiny curled-up newborn home in it (DS, of course, thinks it's a fun new rocking toy for him).

Hello all!

We're back from Exmouth and the 80s party. It was soooo embarrassing having to walk the streets of Exmouth dressed as Mr Blobby but hey ho. It was fun and I danced my little feet off to Wham, Madonna, the Cure, etc.

We got back to pick up the DSs from the in-laws to find a poorly little boy with a temperature and the shivers and then he threw up on the M54 on the way back to our house So now I am doing the worried mother routine. He's tucked up in bed now and hasn't been sick again and he's all calpolled up (is that a verb?) but I will worry until he's better.

Becky I hope DS is ok There seems to be a lot going around at the min. Is it the one who is at school? Maybe he's picked up a cold or something.

Weston - yes, I had been told they fade after pregnancy, so fingers crossed because they look hideous at the minute!

Broodzilla I also made that mistake re 0 - 3 / newborn. Most of our stuff is 0 - 3 but I did buy 3 newborn sleepsuits and an M&S newborn pack with quite a few bits in. I have just discovered babies need to wear vests under everything so have no way got enough of those! Aaaaagh!

DH and I have agreed we will pack hospital bags at 35 weeks. Eeeek!

Also had major hormonal flip today - we were talking about visitors after, and I just panicked - the thought of BIL and SIL and MIL all descending the day/day after the birth really freaks me out. I think I may have been being unreasonable but I am not sure I will be able to cope with loads of visitors after going through all the childbirth malarky, plus getting to grips with baby etc! When did / do you expect to have family over? He thinks it unfair as I want my mum and dad there, so he feels his should be allowed too. Which is fine, I get that, but I just feel scared that this will result in half his family rocking up. Which is what normally happens when MIL does anything. Grr.

How is it Monday morning in a few hours? How rude.

broodzilla/ katster it is very confusing about the sizes. Sorry to tell you but DD was in newborn sizes for at least the first 6 weeks, and she was 8lb at birth, so not a small baby. The good news is that all the size ranges lasted far longer for us than they said they would, despite her generally hovering around the 50th centile for weight. She's nearly 3 and still fits some clothes for 18 months! katster I got a load of newborn vests in primark - only £2.50 for a pack of 5. It seems to be the only thing they do in a newborn size for some reason.

I am jealous about all of you hitting the 6 weeks to go mark! I have just realised most of you are going to disappear onto the postnatal thread while a few of us are still waiting around here. I'm due on the 26th and fully expecting to go into December as DD was born 14 days late. If I do, can I still hang around with you November ladies? I'm rubbish at making new friends

I am shattered this evening. It was the Great North Run today, which DH and 2 of his friends did. I'm a bit embarrassed that they all ran a half marathon and yet I'm the one who is exhausted (they've just gone out to pick up a curry), but then I worked out I must have walked about 6 miles today going to the start and finish line, and in the 10 hours that we were out of the house, I was on my feet for 8 of them. Oh and I was pushing DD in a pushchair loaded with the boys' bags most of the way! My arms ache. My legs ache. At least I should sleep well tonight (touch wood)

Laugs sounds like you've had plenty of exertion today! Put your feet up!

Ditto with the newborn stuff here, DS was 8lb10oz and was in newborn stuff for a good 6 weeks or so too. 0-3 was just too long for him - it will depend on the type of body your baby has, not just the weight.

Tamlin am so pleased that your doula is working out so well for you

Katster yes he is at school - Year 1. I'm just getting over my snotty cold and DS2 is snotty too. I don't think he has that though - he's more 'poorly' than we were.

I can't believe Monday is only hours away too...

I have long babies (so far) and that is why they don't fit into newborn clothes. DH is 6 foot 5 inches.

DH and I finally got to some name discussions on the long journey to Exmouth - we have three of each so far.

I was paddling in the sea this morning in the lovely sunshine.

Laugs I was also worried about being abandoned at the end of Nov - am due the 21st but fully expect to be late too so we can wait in frustration together!

Right - I will have to brave Primark one more time to stock up on newborn sized vests! Yuck.

Right - must go to bed. It's almost ten!

Argh! This poor child currently owns two babygrows, a pretty dress and a set of t-shirts and leggings (presents from my mum). That is it! I probably should go shopping...

We hopefully still have most of the big stuff still from DD, but haven't gone through it yet so no idea what state it is in. We gave away all of her clothes as she grew out of them as we had a shortage of storage space.

I've been putting off buying stuff as I've been waiting for DP to get a new job, but it doesn't look like that is happening very soon (damn recession) so I best get applying for that surestart maternity grant (it is worthwhile seeing if you can get this, it is £500 and you can get it even if you are both working but on a low income) so I can afford some baby stuff!

Trikken hope you?re feeling better now Happy birthday to your DH for tomorrow!

Broodzilla I totally agree on the toe nail front. They should be a bit more considerate. I think it must have been Father Nature that came up with that little design flaw And glad to hear you?re enjoying your new ball.. Might have to get one?

Tasja hope you?re feeling a little better.

Koumak glad it went well with the MW and that she was happy to go along with your requests. Always so much better if you have good medical support. Aww at the gerbils ? what are they like? We have hamsters. Got them a few months after I first got ME, to give me something to laugh at when I couldn?t watch TV ? they?re fantastic for comedy value!!

Raggie ohh love the cardigan. Looks lovely and warm!

Hobnob glad the CDs got to you okay, hope you find them helpful And about clothes ? I?m officially now living in giant tracksuit bottoms, and loving it

Usi final six weeks? Goodness. Can?t believe its all gone so quickly? I?m two weeks behind you and still feels rather close!!

Helips glad you had a good time, you deserved it

Becky glad you enjoyed the party, but really hope your DS feels better soon.

Katster I have already told everyone they are not coming to see me or the baby until about two weeks afterwards. Mum is going to be with me at the birth, and imagine that Dad will come the next day. DP has said his Mum and step-dad will probably want to come in the first few days, but I?m going to ask them to wait until I?m home, at least. If you don?t feel up to it, don?t force yourself.

Laugs put your feet up, have a mug of tea with rather a large slab of cake and watch crap on the TV

I had a really lovely weekend ? DP and I had a lovely time in town, looking at baby stuff, and then had a very lazy day today. He was so happy and giggly, I haven?t seen him so up-beat? Possibly ever, actually!!! I?m really enjoying the book he ordered for me, too.

32 week scan tomorrow ? eek!! Am excited but a bit nervous too. Just hope that everything is okay, and he has a small head

Is anyone else getting a bit impatient now? I keep having moments where I?m like ?Goodness, just hurry UP!!? ? feel like I?ve been preparing for ages now and would just like him here. Sure I?ll be saying I wish he was still inside during the first few weeks, but ah well.

Hope you're all well. x

Morning All, hope you all had a good weekend. Just wanted to say a massive thanks for all the kind messages and thoughts - I really appreciate it. Thanks too for giving me somewhere to vent - can't do it in RL as have to keep strong for DH and his family, so glad to have you guys - wish I could have a few bloody drinks though....

Everyone holding up as best they can, although the coroner is demanding a full inquest and the doctor now being investigated for medical malpractice, so apparently it could be a mnonth before we can have the funeral, which is not doing anyone any good - and am v worried now about me giving birth at the same time - only just over 6 weeks to go - eeek! - how the hell did that happen!?

Have got bags packed in case of emegency, but am now really torn between being fed up of being pregnant - achy hips, hideous sore veiny legs, knackered all the time - and then thinking aaargh, not ready to give birth again! Have placenta scan on Thurs so hopefully it has moved, as want to stop worrying about that as well. Can't believe it is so soon - not helped by being so enormous that everyone keeps telling me I'm surely about to pop now, can;t possibly have six more weeks - is it me or is that v rude?

Anyway, hope DS better soon BBL and that everyone has a good day, xx

morning all

tabby good to hear you're bearing up. Really hope you don't have to wait so long for the funeral. Good luck for scan on thurs.

I had a scan on Friday and baby looked quite squished! Couldn't really see as much as I had on previous scans. I've heard that babies can have growth spurts so am keeping my fingers crossed his tummy won't get too much bigger till my next scan at 36 weeks.

I finish work on Weds and I think panic has started to set in at the realisation that I'm not leaving work for a holiday but to have a real life baby! I didn't sleep much last night and DH is starting to get a bit anxious too. 6 weeks is no time at all and if I'm induced early we could be talking 4/5 weeks which would put me in late October! MUST ORDER MOSES BASKET!!

lemontop I'm so with you on the October early induction/cs realisation. I'm totally not in the zone for this at all. Still far too busy with work (but enjoying the business and dreading the time when I'm going to have to sit on my arse and feel fat and guilty for letting DD watch cbeebies all day) and feeling, on the whole, too well to be thinking about giving birth soon.

tabby if the coroner is demanding an inquest does that mean he is the one asking for documents off the NHS? A friend is trying to investigate malpractice in her father's death and they didn't realise that the NHS can take 40 days from the date of asking to release documents. It's been a very long and protracted process, and as you say, prevents everyone form beginning the closure and healing process.

The carpel tunnel business is driving me nuts. It just feels so odd. Partly pins and needles as if there isn't enough blood, partly swelling as if there's too much blood and partly that electrical sensation you get if you bite onto metal foil with a filling (but in the fingers) and partly arthritic-type aches in the joints. All most weird.

I'll join the 6/7 week club too. I think I'm 33+3 now. I think I really need DH to bring down the clothes boxes from the attic to get me thinking seriously about this. We'll have to do names too at some point.

BBL did you realise you're quoted in the new MN guide to pregnancy?

Good morning all. Nice to hear of all the nice weekends. Sorry for those with aches, snuffles, pains and worry.

We had a good one, too. Surprise 40th b'day party for a mate on Sat, with a pretend b'day celebration on Friday. Check this out: I was up till 1am both nights! I forgot what the world looked like at that time of night. Needless to say went to bed before nine last night. I still manage to sleep through, which looks like it's a blessing.

I can't believe some of you are at the 6 weeks stage. I have ten to go, 29th November, and also am prepared for it to go into December. Can't wait for the first baby to be born on here.

I think I'm also too busy with work to be too stressed yet. Sometimes I even feel sorry that I haven't spent any time thinking properly about my child, no moments poised at the window looking out into the garden and reflecting for me. I'm hoping to be able to catch up on all that in four weeks time, when I finish work. But I do believe that in some way it's done me good. I've been incredibly relaxed about things and hope that it's true that a relaxed mother gets a relaxed babe. I just want my time off to start to be able to get organised.

Hope you all have nice days - the weather is fab, isn't it? Hurrah for Indian Summer!

Skorpion - I'm due on the same day as you and have only had sleepless nights the last 2 nights - have been really uncomfortable on my side and getting achey hips and shoulders, even with extra duvet underneath and a pillow between my legs. Starting my antenatal classes tomorrow and apparently half of it is with a physio so will be asking for suggestions then. Can't cope with the thought of ten more weeks (or more - heaven forbid!) with hardly any sleep! Although that might be preferable to what comes after...

I'm planning on working until 6th Nov so just about 37 weeks but work is very local for me and we're on a 4 day week at the moment so hopefully I can survive until then. I also feel as though I haven't had any time to prepare myself mentally for a baby arriving, but hoping my pregnancy yoga (starting this weekend) will start the preparation.

My friend had her second baby on Friday morning, she was booked in for a cs after an emcs with baby no. 1 who was 10lbs 1!! She went into labour herself and arrived at the hospital 6cm dilated at half 9, baby arrived at 00:27, 7lbs 15. Going to visit tomorrow, can't wait!

PS Very jealous of everyone having nice weather, it's rain rain rain in Glasgow. Think our 'Summer' (if you can call it that) is officially over.

Hi everyone! I'm not quite in the six week club yet but am now 33+1 which feels very close.
It's a time of festivals at the moment - this weekend we were celebrating Jewish New Year, but it's also very busy around our area for Eid (big Muslim festival) and I saw that someone was celebrating Harvest at their church. So lots of nice food being cooked and eaten right now! We had a lovely New Year and I got to be oohed and ahhed over at synagogue by all the people who hadn't seen me since I had become pregnant. We had a big celebration lunch at my parent's house and the weather held up enough for us all to be in the garden which was lovely. Yet again everybody decided that it's a boy by the shape of the bump. I'm starting to get to the point where I'll be very shocked if it actually turns out to be a girl!
Tabby, how tragic for your family. I really hope you are all ok.
Tasja mumps sound awful! Are you feeling any better.
all the shoppers I'm planning on doing most of the shopping after I go on maternity leave in two weeks, but we are going to go next week and get a few newborn clothes for the hospital bag. Sounds like we should be going for 'newborn' rather than '0-3 months'. Thanks for the tip!

Once again, too many posts to reply to.

About my miracle pregnancy tea: It contains rasberry leaves, but also some other herbs (please don't ask me for the translations). They are supposed to help you against other pregnancy related problems. I don't know if it really works but I think, lots of pregnant women in german speaking countries drink it. I'm not exactly a tea lover but I think it's a good idea for me to drink it: three times a day, I relax, have my cup of tea and can look forward to having a child soon. And if it doesn't help it won't hurt either.

About the perineal massage: scarlotti (at least I think it was you), I'm surprised to hear it wouldn't help much as I have heard so many times the opposite. And I can imagine that it helps (which doesn't mean that you certainly won't tear). Anyway, again, if it doesn't help it won't hurt. And again, I think there is one good thing about it: getting to know your body and especially the relevant parts for birth/baby. When I started it, I've realised that I'm not exactly relaxed, everything looks suddenly different (mainly swollen) so I think it's good just to get this feeling back to know all parts of my body (even those I can't see anymore

Baby cloths sizes: Oh my god, I didn't realise that there was a difference. But I think, I have a mixture and I got most of the stuff from my sister so I suppose I should be fine. Need to check though.

Gymball: Broodzilla, glad to hear that my comment helped you.
For some reason I blew up mine in the bedroom and now it is too big to fit through the door... So we'll keep it in there as I certainly won't do that again... until we move.
Do actually hospitals have them or are we supposed to bring our own? In which case I would probably have the baby before the gymball.

This thread: Forgot who it was, maybe Laugs, who is worried to be moved to December. My official due date was forwarded to 31st of october but I never wanted to change my group and I suppose we will all stay together no matter of the actual birth date.

Tabby Nice that you've managed to "check in", but awful that it sounds like the situation may drag on for quite a while! I really hope you manage to get some you-time every now and again, and that someone else is dealing with all the red tape.

Clared Yay to a new baby! My friend is now 3 days overdue so am waiting for the phone to ring. Apparently meeting a newborn while pregnant can cause all sorts of funny side effects like leaking boobies though!

Hobnob and Skorpion Glad you're still enjoying work - I find that while I do enjoy it, because I'm on my own and working from home, I keep getting distracted and just feel like I'm counting down the days for the little one to arrive (as won't start my Mat Leave til then). I really can't wait to meet him.

Lemontop I had a similar moment yesterday when I informed DH that the bean is apparently now developed enough that something like 90% of babies born this week will manage just fine without any special measures or NICU. And, that in two weeks - TWO WEEKS - he'll basically be fully cooked. Had a funny five minutes where I was nearly hyperventilating but couldn't decide if I was excited at the thought (because doesn't it just feel like we've been pregnant for an eternity?) or terrified...

Also, re: the babies arriving and us all being at different stages... I was thinking, as there is only a few of us actively here (a dozen or so?) how do you all feel about us staying put in one place until we're all ready to move to the "other side"? I don't know about you, but I'm all comfy here and it would feel strange to not be part of it (I'm with whoever said not good at making new friends!) - and I guess by November, nearly all of us will either be at home with a newborn or at least on Mat Leave?

I guess it's really up to you lot at the tail end, you might not want to hear labour stories or listen to us wailing about no sleep, but I thought it might be nice if we all leave together and turn the lights out?

What do you all think?

Sounds like a good idea to me! (due 22nd)

I wish I was still working - all this time at home is driving me a bit demented to be honest! All very nice to have time to sort stuff, but no adult company and nothing to exercise my brain is making me a bit down.

usi all I was trying to point out is that for every story where something has 'helped' there is another where it's not made a jot of difference. If you're happy with your preparations then that's all that matters.

However, it's important that nobody starts to worry as they're not doing something - at the end of the day, women have been having babies for centuries without raspberry leaf tea/perennial massage/gym balls etc. It can be very easy to fall into the trap of worrying if you're a first time mum, and that's when you start to doubt your instincts and then worry yourself over anything.

Laugs I'd like to share the joys of newborns with the same people, but I wonder would it be better if we started a post-natal thread when it's needed. That way we don't have to temper any labour stories/worries for fear of scaring those yet to go into labour? Just a thought ... I think all new mums-to-be shoud get to enjoy a little ignorance of what's to come until the baby actually arrives. And for those who'd rather not, they can always pop in and read the stories!!
I'll go with the flow though

Sounds like a good idea to me too, Broodzilla.