Due November 2009 - who is going to go 'pop' first?

[BeckyBendyLegs]

Here it is!

Morning all, wow, so many posts again and I do not have time to respond to any. I need to finish everything for our move tomorrow but I wanted to share two things:
I found a relativly relaxing position, maybe not to sleep (might be too dangerous) but still good to relax for half an hour or so: I have one of those very long breastfeeding pillows that you can use in pregnancy as well. So, this morning at 5.30 I made a circle with it, put my bump in the hole and my head onto a huge pillow pile. So the bump was hanging like on all fours, the back was kind of free and even better, my varicous veins were finally unblocked for 30 min. I could really feel a nice sensation even in my legs as the blood could flow freely for the first time since 2 month or so.
I can only recommend it!
Saw the Birth Centre yesterday. It's really great, they have 5 ensuite rooms, two with pools, that's where you normally give birth and then you are transferred to one of the smaller rooms to rest. But if the big rooms are busy, the smaller ones can be transformed to birth rooms as well. They have beanbags, gymball, huge matrasses, birth stool, slings,... It's supposed to feel like having a home birth but all the reassuring hospital stuff is just one floor above so they can move you quickly if anything goes wrong.
And everything is new and shiny. I had visited one of my friends in the private St. John and Elisabeth and the NHS Birth Centre at St Mary's is definitely nicer. But you can only stay 24 hours maximum (and this only if you have problems with breastfeeding). Otherwise it is between 2-6 hours which is fine by me as I never wanted to stay any longer.
Ok, off to pack something.
I hope today will be a good day for everybody, with no pain, good news from supporting midwifes, builders/companies who finally admit their "mistakes", socks that go magically on our feet,...

erica oh sorry, did not mean to remind you of that company .

Morning!

longwayaway yep, no way I can lift my legs forward, I do it to the side, like becky. Same with drying my legs after a shower. It's such a funny feeling to be so restricted in what you can do. I've already suggested to dh that he'll have to help me do my bikini line - he didn't show enough enthusiasm for that in my opinion

I also get wedged between things as I forget the bump.

southernbelle I hope your midwife is much more helpful today.

Pavlov - really good news about the baby turning! Hope it distracts you a bit from the builder problems...

Will have to try some yoga positions when I go to put on socks today.

My sympathies to everyone who can't sleep. I "let" DH stay up late last night to watch a baseball game, which his team lost effectively in the last minute, so he came to bed around 2am in a big huff and wouldn't fall asleep for ages. Glad it's Friday!

skorpion I inspected my tummy for the first time in ages today and I have several bruises on my bump I have no memory of getting - I can only guess they are from getting myself stuck in spaces that I no longer fit.

ursi that position sounds really comfortable. I am already fantasising about bedtime and will give that one a try later on.

sleepless my DD is not so much playing up as being more demanding. She's started getting up REALLY early, when she hasn't done that for almost a year (she's 3 next month); now usually wakes in the night and always needs me for something - again, she hasn't done that for probably 1.5 years; and, most likely because of the other two, she's getting quite grumpy in the daytime and crying easily, when she's normally very easy-going. I am reminding myself it is just another phase but the timing is not great!

kyte the recipe for Lemon Drizzle Cake is here. I halved the quantities as it seemed a bit big. It was really good and DD keeps on asking if we can make it again.

becky inspired by your DS2 we are taking DD to the cinema tomorrow. I'm quite excited! It is Madagascar 2, so it's old, but we haven't seen it and it only costs £1 each. I haven't been to the cinema for ages. I hope she lasts...

longwayaway are you an American in the UK? What do you think of the antenatal care? (just being nosey really! I imagine it's very different in the US)

Southern cheers I?m pretty impressed too ? though knackered today. Sorry its all gone messy, but PRH is lovely, the consultants (although conflicting!!) are very willing to listen to what you want. Plus it?s a really lovely unit. And we could keep each other company when we?re having MN-withdrawal Don?t feel bad about needing to talk about it, and you?re not boring us. Its stressful ? and think of us as your big online stress ball!!! I hope you have a better day today.

Usi that?s great news about the birthing centre

Pavlov I?ll let you off seeing as you?re being so wonderfully helpful!!!!

Kyte DP offered to shave my legs for me because I was complaining about not being able to reach them ? but he looked so terrified I got mum to do it instead! Found out why the other day ? he?s never done a normal shave on himself, he?s always used an electric razor!!! Glad your DH is pampering you, that?s what you deserve right now. Also hats off to you for the waxing shudders

UGH am so pissy this morning. My dad is being a total arse ? again. I got up to go to the loo, to which I had shouted at me as I opened my door, ?Am in the bathroom?. Okay, so figured he?d be a few minutes if he?d just got in there, and I could hold it for that!!! But oh no ? he did his teeth, had a shave, then got in the bloody SHOWER knowing I was busting for a wee outside. I nearly wet myself because of course, Bryn was wide away as I?d been laying down, and was punching me in the bladder. Surely waiting to get in the shower for ten seconds so a heavily pregnant woman can have a wee is not actually going to destroy your day?!? grumbles

Plus because I was waiting so long, I was then wide awake ? and have stayed so since half past five double grumble

Anyway? How are we all doing today?

Southernbelle I had a crap night's sleep too, lots of sympathy here!
Your SPD has been really bad throughout hasn't it? What does your physio say about the birth? Are you getting regular physio appts?
I had SPD last time but had to give birth in stirrups as it was literally the only way the baby would move when I pushed. I wanted to do a supported squat but it just wasn't happening- gravity was not going to shift him! I said to my physio that I definitely do NOT want stirrups again but she said that a lot is to do with anatomy and that for some people there are more effective positions to push in and maybe this was my way ...argh!
The SPD for me is different in this preg to the last- it's all in the pubic bone and feels like a red hot knife sawing through the middle- ow. Last time it was in my hips and legs and walking was really hard.
Last night I lay awake pondering whether to go downstairs and get a pack of frozen peas to sleep with to kill the pain! Then started wondering if it is possible to break your pelvis in labour and getting very scared.
I think someone has already asked- have you had a debrief from your first birth? It helped me to have one this week. I am feeling a lot less anxious now that I know the reasons why certain things happened. They also told me that there was no way I could have an elective caesarian...just think they are really not keen to do them at all.
I hope you get some good help and advice today or in the next few days so that you can feel calmer.

I saw my friend's newborn yesterday- 5lb 10oz of total gorgeousness!! Was hoping it might trigger off a rush of hormones but apparently not!

All this talk of bikini lines made me start wondering about mine. Fortunately I couldn't see it when I tried to look- out of sight, out of mind! Kyte I take my hat off to you for your grooming skills! Every time I read Changes by Anthony Browne to ds I think I am starting to look more and more like the gorilla

Bikini line? What bikini line? Mine has gone out the window. And leg shaving, although luckily, they're not too hairy...Will have to do something about it soon but at the moment, just too busy! Mat leave in two weeks, mat leave in two weeks...

skorpion I too get wedged in places, forgetting the bump and how about this: today I actually whacked a boy in the class I was teaching round the head with my bump as I 'brushed' past him!!! Poor wee thing, he was very understanding. I do that kind of thing ALL the time...

I had a good night's sleep, (sorry to all who didn't!) think it's because my natal hypnotherapy cd arrived! I did wake up (of course - whenever I wanted to move!) but was so relaxed and felt like I'd actually slept properly rather than the light sleep I have had for so long. Thanks for the recommendation katster I got the same one as you

Ooo, Raggie and Katster... I could trawl through all the posts to find the name of the natal hypnotherapy CD, but, on the other hand, I could just ask! Which one would you recommend?

I echo the bikini line horror being expressed. I had to go to The Sanctuary spa on Saturday for a friend's hen do and I was using mirrors and pulleys and my best yoga positions, etc to be able to do anything about the ladygarden! I managed a 9 slice shaving cut on my leg as well... I'll be asking DH from here on in. For the legs anyway.

Question: I have a tender spot at the top of my bump that's been there for about a week and (I think) is getting a bit tenderer. Is this something to be concerned about? I'm sure I read somewhere that it might indicate a bad thing, but can't remember.

Laugs I hope your DD enjoys the cinema: it is a real treat I think when it is a new experience - DS2 loved going last weekend.

We're going to my oldeest friend's little boy's birthday party. I've known her since infant school.

My lunch (pasta) is cooking and I have five minutes to eat it and then taht is all before I have to go get DS2. Will I make it? I do like living life on the edge sometimes!!!

Laugs - yep, that's me Don't really know what antenatal care is like in the states as this is my first, but I believe the main difference is that you meet with an OB rather than a midwife. It generally sounds a lot more medicalized. I know that it would be very difficult for me to have a homebirth there - mostly to do with insurance issues - so I'm hoping to take advantage of that opportunity here. And don't get me started on the $$ we'd be shelling out to pay for healthcare!

I just noticed the other day that I have a horizontal, inch-long red streak under my belly button - realized it was from last week when I bumped into a hot pan while cooking. Didn't hurt much at the time so I'd totally forgotten about it, but I guess I gave myself a nice little burn.

Erika - can't believe your dad made you wait to use the toilet!! How rude!

Shaving is... not a priority at this time

shaving isnt a priority for me either, i was getting dh to do it, but i ask him and he forgets, so ive given asking him.

got my 36 week mw appt at two thirty, hoping ds is going to be good and sit still whilst the mw checks me over, as dh is at work and family is away.

my spatone has just arrived which is good. such a big box tho i was suprised when it arrived. lovely postman flagged us own as we were just driving to get ds to playgroup and he saw us leaving and waved at us to stop, which is good cos otherwise i would have had to wait til mon to get my spatone from the postoffice.

Can't remember who asked about children playing up? was it laugs? DD is not sleeping well, quite normal atm, she wants more attention before bedtime, wakes up earlier. Also, and I think more significantly, she has started to want us to feed her more. Usually we would perhaps feed her if she was being a monkey and taking too long, but she always does most of it herself (even if she makes a mess), recently she has been actually asking 'can you feed me mama/dada' also, she has taken to calling daddy 'dada' again, which she has not for a long time, although she has always chopped between mummy and mama for me.

Legs - need doing badly DH promised he would do them for me. He knows how to do it, in that I am using an old razor of his! (not same blade obviously he uses the WS fancy one with the bit at the other end to do my bikini line!) But he has drawn the line at bikini line. kyte I am rather impressed at your waxing!

Birthing pool - i told DH I wanted to go in it for pain releif, and that I would likely be naked. He said why naked? can't you wear a top? and I said, more comfy without, what is the problem with that? And he said, it will be embarrassing for you, strangers in and out seeing me in the buff. I said that statement clearly demonstrating that he would be embarrassed as I would be having a baby and would not give a toss, and also thought it was funny that he would be fine with me showing off my 'lady garden' to all and sundry, but not my boobs

I've just cleared out two big bags of broken, odd, worn out, dirty toys (don't tell the DSs). This must be a form of early nesting! They really do own a lot of old junk. Is it just me or do PILs around the world delight in buying the biggest, most plastic, most space-consuming tat ever for their grandchildren for Christmas and birthdays? And the smaller the house / flat you live in, the bigger the plastic they buy? We used to live in a tiny cottage and there just wasn't the room for it all! I know this sounds ungrateful but I'm in a clearing out mood!

My house is full with huge plastic crap too. Before I had dd I swore I would only have pedagogically valuable wood toys around - ha!
If I got any, their splinters are hidden away in huge plastic toy boxes.

I epilate, that way I don't have to worry about more than once a week or so (well, more like once a month). Also easy for DP to take over, though own DH is terrified and possibly grossed out by it, so woudln't ask him personally..

My DD has the same symptoms!! Wakes up early, suddenly clingy, eating a disaster unless I sit next to her. And NO NAPS even though she clearly needs them (cry). Does that mean they already know somehting is up?? I thought too how the timing of it was so bad and really really hope she's over it when baby comes. But ounds like a reaction to pending baby arrival, even though she doesn't understand that yet. Hu?

Pavlov, at your husband who doesn't want to show YOUR boobs. I'm sure I too will use the pool being naked. Yesterday the midwife said that men can go in there too but that they had to wear something. Don't know if my DH want to go in but I guess he wouldn't even have a problem with being naked himself. I guess that's not what midwives want to see.
Have been quite busy so far, we got the IKEA delivery in the new flat, and I emptied three boxes. No I have terrible lower back pain but should actually FILL the remaining boxes.

Oh ursi, careful! Last time I went grocery shoppig I got backpain from hauling water around, and had contractions that night. They HURT. And freaked me out. Feet up is more like it.

ursi make sure you take it easy though, I know you got lots to do but pace yourself especially if you are getting a painful back.

Thanks ladies, taking a long break now anyway. But I think the backpain is in no relation to what i have done (there was really no heavy lifting), so I take it as another sign that the baby turned to back to back. Well, I'll find out on tuesday when I'll see the GP. Until then, I'll continue being on all 4 as much as I can

Wow you lot have been chatting!

I had to laugh at all the talk of shaving, waxing, lady gardens etc! Didn't we have a male member on here once, his wife was having twins? Not sure what he would make of it
I have found I can still shave my legs in the bath (just) but lady garden I have bought some hair removing cream and dh tidied me up at the weekend before we went swimming, I have told him it will need redoing in a couple of weeks!
One of best friends gave me voucher for a pedicure for my birthday so I'm going to book it in for a couple of weeks before my due date.

Pav Your DH sounds just like mine re the embarrassment! When I was in labour with ds2 I was having a lay down on the bed, I was very uncomfortable (as you would be in labour) in walked 3 student dr with a normal dr and a midwife, Dh jumped up from his chair and pulled the sheet over my lady garden as he didn't want them looking at my bits!!! They then went on to examine me and Dh was mortified (I however couldn't give a dam)

BBL We have a deal with pil that they give the dc money for birthdays/Christmas and if I feel they need/want anything I'll get it, if not the money goes into the bank, so no big plastic toys from them.

Southern I really feel for you, your consultant sounds like a right cow!

Great news on the babies turning Pav and someone else (sorry baby brain)

Ursi Good luck tomorrow with the move.

Erika at your Dad

Trikken Hope your app goes well and that ds behaves.

Just had my mw appt, everything good, measured 35 weeks instead of 36 tho. Head not engaged yet. had a student in there which was fine, the actual mw was a moody one tho, she didnt tell me much either. but it probably didnt help that my phone started ringing halfway through. hope i dont get her for the actual birth, not to sound nasty but she would definately make me feel uncomfortable.

tigger ds was very well behaved, i was impressed, although he did let on to the mw's that i was bribing him to be good with the promise of buying his some crisps after!

I got told by friends who've been there to expect my toddler to act up in the six weeks or so leading up the birth - they said that the poor things know SOMETHING's up, even if they don't quite grasp the full implications of the Baby in Mummy's Tummy Coming Soon, and most of them go a bit clingy or temperamental. DS has gone very affectionate and weepy (quite unlike him, he's not precisely a sensitive child) and he's started waking up in the night requiring to be tucked in by Mummy. This is awkward, because Mummy is having issues leaning over the side of the cot with her vast bump.

Trikken, if you don't like your midwife, you can request another one. I wish I'd done this with the second-to-last one I had, but I didn't have the gumption - in hindsight though, it's bloody stupid to worry about seeming rude. It's YOUR vagina and YOUR baby!

Tamlin the thing is it could be six different mw's, cos they chop and change within the 'blue team', so its just pure luck who you would get really. last time there was no-one free on my team so had two mw's from a different team. (they swapped over half way due to shift finishing).