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

[BeckyBendyLegs]

Here it is!

My oh my... TWO days and a HUNDRER posts.
My non-existent maths makes this thread last for all of... ten days then until it's full. Hah!

Lemontop I agree with your friend. We didn't have a dishwasher until we moved to our current house, and although there's (so far) only two of us I really must say it made a massive difference! We cook and bake everything from scratch, so it felt like we spent half of our lives washing up. Although I must say if you're planning ripping out cupboards then you nesting instinct really has kicked in big time! Fingers crossed you're just having BHs... Sounds like you might have overdone it just a little!

Trikken What an interesting craving! They say that cravings are signs of deficiencies, but I can't think what you might be needing if you want to chew on a bath poof! (Then again, not sure what my donut craving is telling me either...)

Skorpion How you felt at the supermarket is how I feel every bloody most days when I'm trying to tackle the work I've still got to do... I just get paralyzed and give up.

Becky I get the sneezing thing too. I'm guessing it has to do with our guts already being squeezed in an impossibly small space, and the sneezing is just like a cherry on top so it all just goes AUCH.

Pavlov Glad to hear that the loft/room situation is finally on the home stretch. Fingers crossed all will go smoothly from now on.

Erika Meant to say yesterday, glad to see you're feeling better.

Question re: nippleshields... Boots only had one size, so I assumed that's all there is. The instruction manual says to make sure that the shield is filled by the nipple width ways, which it is... but not length ways. Could any of you who have used them before tell me if I need to hunt down a smaller size or if it'll be ok? (Also... do your nipples change shape in the late stages of pregnancy/early stages of breastfeeding?)

Erm, I've just got to point out that even I know that my non-existent math calculation in the post above is wrong... And please excuse the ridiculous spelling errors and random stuff all over the post, I've just woken up from a nap.

I've just bought some nipple pads, nipple cream beginning with a 'l' that we were talking about earlier (purple box) and some cotton wool. Getting there!

So knackered though - walking into town and back is starting to be really hard work. I walk at the same pace as DS2 now.

Can't remember who asked ... but I got sent a voucher through the post for the changing bag from Boots but am sure you can just pop in there and get it sorted too - maybe take your advantage card and get the voucher from one of those kiosks?

Finally managed to recover the data from my laptop, although still waiting to see what's actually wrong with it. Was quite worried I'd lost it all (accounts, work, photos etc) and was getting quite panicky about it. Has made me realise what a sad geek I really am

Started reading a book about a woman who has surprise triplets - it's brilliant and terrifying all at the same time!

skorpion, for me it is not the urge to nest, it's the fact that we are going to move in two weeks that just makes me do all that work (and I would so prefer cooking and freezing like lemontop and then putting the dirty dishes in my dishwasher - who was talking about knoedel? They are definitely on my list). The only way it works for me is to have a list of what I need to do during the day and then make small portions (especially for the physical part of it): filling one box with books, trying to finally deciding on nappies and ordering them, filling another box, doing some yoga exercises, doing some shopping... This way, really the whole flat is a mess and you can barely move but at least I'm still alive in the evening and I don't feel stressed about the work that is left.
Becky, I didn't need to sneeze for a while so I'm not sure but actually yawning is really annoying for me. It's not painful but I can not do it until the end, there is just not enough room for the air and it is really unsatisfying.
Well, off to my antenatal class with the special topic: breastfeeding

Re Boots changing bag voucher
You need to update your information on your advantage card and state that you are pregnant, you will then be sent a voucher through the post. You may need to say you are less pregnant than you are to get it, I got mine quite early on, not sure though you may still get it!

scarlotti that book sounds good, whats it called please?

Right, I will read through everything!!! But first...

Yesterday, the doctors thought that I might be the first to "pop". Starting having contractions at half two, realised what they were about three, and started making a note - every three minutes lasting 90 seconds. I was so bloody terrified. Couldn't get hold of my midwife, so called our friend who is the local sister. She said to keep monitoring them for an hour / two. So did that, no change, just getting stronger. Called her back, she said to call the labour ward. So called PRH where I'm booked in, for the midwife on duty to say, "Well you can't come here, we don't take babies under 34 weeks." Well that scared the shit out of me - think I shrieked something along the lines of, "I am NOT having a baby tonight!!!". She was very nice bless her, and called Brighton for me, and they had a room - a delivery suite!! - waiting for me when I got there... Strapped me up to machines for a few hours, and monitored the contractions, which thankfully started to die down after about an hour or so there. There was all this talk of giving me drugs to mature baby's lungs and everything..!!! Was so frightening. Thankfully, turns out that I have a water infection, which can apparently cause contractions and premature labour. Internal showed cervix still firmly closed and not damaged as they were worried it might be as the contractions were happening for five hours.

Christ, I've never been more scared in my life. Though at the time, was apparently very calm.

Was discharged about half eleven and sent home with antibiotics, and instructions to take it very easy for the next few days so I don't start them off again.

And breathe. Am so glad to be home - with him still in my tummy!!!!

Scarlotti - thanks for that site for velux, looks like we will be able to get them there for £50 or so each (need four . Lovely! I have applied today for the Boots voucher, and am planning a marathon spend there this week - they have baby monitors there for sale at £25 off, out of stock today, even online but offer is on until mid october so they should get more - bring on the triple points!

I wanted to ask about medela breastpumps - they do a mini electric one, do you think that would be ok as DH was at the cost of the full sized one, he said 'not a chance' but was happy to consider the mini one. Has anyone ever used this? Will it be crap? I am not intending on expressing loads as I am not sure I will be able to, could not seem to express much last time, but to be able to have DH do the odd one so I can drink lots of wine have a night out once in a while might be nice.

trikken I am loving cleaning products too. I am wondering if it is a nesting thing as I am keen to clean the kitchen surfaces, bathroom surfaces etc lots just so I can smell it - we are using that 'Oxy' stuff - I can't remember the brand now, posisbly Cif? but its green and the smell is highly addictive. As is Listerine Mouthwash. DH thinks I am mad but I am using a lot of it, I have very clean breath - I like to hold it in my mouth and swill it so it really hurts and it tastes lovely (i don't swallow it honestly). Sometimes I rinse my mouth twice just for the effects! Sad eh?

Oh and I bought some more for my list today - I bought some Arnica pillules for the hospital, I was wondering around aimlessly in boots and DH dragged me out! I would have bought a few things for the hospital else! I put some baby stuff bag, as I am going to get it all at the same time with the monitors to spend over £20 and get the triple points. I am on a roll!

Bump is hurting today - he has been kicking hard, I m hoping this means he is turning, that will be nice! Like lots of others, walking is hard work now, cannot manage much without the need to collapse. Met a friend for lunch today and by the end of it I was exhausted and feel like I used to pre-pregnancy after a very very long and busy day at work.

erica x-posted how terrifying for you! Thank goodness baby is ok and still inside where he needs to be. Make sure you heed the Drs advice and rest a lot. Water infections are not nice and can take it out of you without realising. xx

Erica- wow, bet that was terrible. If it is any consolation, I am pretty sure our babies are all at the point where they would usually be ok if born now. They might need some help, but most would be fine.

My DD was born at 36 weeks, with no ill effects whatsoever (she did have problems, but nothing to do with her prematurity) so I reckon a couple more weeks wouldn't be too bad. But then I'm not a midwife, and am basing this entirely on guesswork, so don't quote me!

Pavlov I used a medela mini electric and found it perfect last time, (especially after plugging away on the avent manual one- bit of a nightmare.) The lady over the road lent the medela to me and then when she needed it back I got another from ebay as couldn't live without it. This time I am trying to persuade dh to let me buy the medela swing for a bit of an upgrade, though that is expensive, it just looks nifty and not bad with triple advantage points!

Erika glad all is OK and there was a rational explanation!

My physio went OK today, but I have to wear a tubigrip round my bump now as well as the support beneath. Glad the weather is cooling down!

Laugs we had the same bare cupboards problem earlier so dh went and got chicken tikka and sag aloo- my hero! I know I will suffer later but it was worth it. My craving throughout this pg has been for lime pickle and poppadums. Bizarre.

Here's a raspberry leaf question- how many cups are we allowed a day?

Another raspberry leaf question - I don't need to have it, as I am having a section, right? I'm not missing something am I?

Erika oh gosh, that must've been so scary for you! Glad you're back home now (in one piece!) just make sure you rest up.

Wook Mine says 3-6 cups a day. I think you're meant to build it up, so I've decided to drink 3/day this week, 4 next week... And by the last week I'll be up to 6.

Lissy If you're having a CS you don't need it as it's meant to shorten the 2nd stage of labour.

Thanks Broodzilla, I'll go and make a brew now in that case!

Erika just thought- though a very scary experience, this was maybe a good thing in a way as now you know what contractions feel like and it sounds like you handled them well for quite a long time, so some of the fear of not knowing may have been lifted from you. Also, must have been nice to see inside a delivery room so now you know what that might be like too. Nevertheless, at the point of talk of drugs to boost the baby's lungs I think I would have been completely freaked out!

Hello everyone. Wow, I have been so busy I just haven't even logged on for days. School all week exhausting me then new house at weekend - painting the kitchen and trimming the front hedge (feel really grown up saying that!)

erika wow, what a thing to happen! It must have been so scary. Glad there's an explanation for it now. I have to admit, I was chortling at the bit when you squealed down the phone "I am NOT having a baby tonight!!!" Was it weird to think that you actually MIGHT though? You actually nearly met Bryn...kind of

Liking all the new bump pictures. More please!

Oh and disorganised people? Add me to the list. Just ordered pram and still have a few bits from my friend which is good...but apart from that, nada. No clothes, no cot, no moses, no blankets, no nappies, no hospital bag, no nipple cream....arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

And getting too big and heavy to move around anywhere without being knackered. How am I going to get all the stuff?

Good evening ladies, you don't half natter!

I'll joint the knackered camp tonight. My usual early-week energy hasn't turned up, and I had my first sleepless night and trip to the loo last night which is a far cry from the 12-hour konk-outs I was having over the weekend. Now I'm looking forward to stopping work rather than my previously chirpy 'it keeps me active' line.

pg symptoms are coming and going like a swirling wind. My swollen hands and carpel tunnel have disappeared - I tried my rings on again tonight with no problems, but I'll keep them off just in case. However, constipation, piles and heavy legs have put in an appearance. My rear pelvis joints are about to give way so I really will have to start wearing that belt now (but it really doesn't help with the lower circulation!) and I can no longer bend down to pick things off the floor, nor get up if I have knelt down to try and make the process easier. Life is becoming a bit of a chore.

Weird symptom of the week.... tingly teeth. Anyone else?

erika well done for surviving that shock. Keep relaxing and try not to dwell on it. At least next time you'll know what's happening!

pavlov I had the medela mini pump last time. It worked fine and was pretty effective for me, but it is irritatingly noisy - you have to put the subtitles on the TV or go elsewhere and pump. The swing one is much quieter, and you can pick up one off ebay (If you can get over the 2nd hand breast pump thing) for a similar price to a new mini pump.

boots offer I just used a day sack as a nappy bag last time, but if there's a freebie going then I'll take it! Can I update my advantage card online? I'm so rarely in a Boots that has a machine that I've never really got to grips with advantage points.

organisation I'm now feeling slightly less panicked in that I went through the 'newborn' bag and found: 4 crib sheets, hats, bibs, mittens, a snowsuit, 2 non-pink babygros (just in case it's a boy) and oodles of knitted cardis (anyone want one?!). So at least I know that if I do no more, the baby will have something to wear for some of the time until DH gets sent on a gender-specific shop. We have also retrieved the carry cot from the loft and found the newborn wedge and headhugger for the car seat which I thought I'd lost. I think after yesterday's humongous effort in town, I really can't be arsed with doing any more so what can't be bought in Tescos will have to be done without...

I'll joint the knackered camp?

Please don't take that literally

Ooh, tingly teeth hobnob Is it like you can feel your pulse ...er, pulsing... through them? I get that. It's weird

Erika - sounds very scary. 2 of my nephews were born at 34wks and both were small (obviously) but are absolutely fine, just spent a few weeks in scubu.

BBL - know what you mean about coping with 3, i'm trying not t think about it. have also been told about 3 being easier - but only from people with 2

am absolutely shattered and have swollen ankles and calves from working all day, wish i was in bed, but is DD's last day at her nursery tomorrow before spending her 3 days a week at preschool, and have been baking gingerbread men for her class and just wating for lemon cake to finish so i can add the 'drizzle' and leave to cool for morning. seemed like a good idea at the time!!

yes raggie, pulsating teeth that almost tickle. Like you've been hillwalking in cold wind with your mouth open all day. I have a vague recollection of having this before, but can't remember if it was in pg or not.

We are mostly made up of blood these days! I know this is why we are more prone to bleeding gums, possibly why you might feel it in your teeth - all the blood pumping around your mouth? Just an idea!

pulsing teeth?
Whatever next? Do you find yourself NOT discussing these things with un-pregnant people? I met up with a friend on the weekend who was completely mesmerised by my bump and asking lots of questions but I just couldn't bring myself to let her in an all the gory details... I almost think it doesn't sound believable unless you're going/have gone through it.

Whoever said about picking things off the floor? THANK YOU! I've now got into a habit of just leaving anything that drops and then having a crawl-around before DH comes home...

Re the nipple shields, I did get the Advent ones, but was confused about the size of the actual teat or whatever it's called, the sticky-outy bit your nipple itself goes in. My nipples only reach about 2/3 of the way...

Thank you, you lovely bunch!!

Wook yes that's how I'm trying to think about it. I mean I was worrying a few weeks ago that I wouldn't realise when I was having contractions - realise now that was bloody stupid I did kinda tune out when she started talking about the drugs for a few minutes. Apparently that was the closest I'd looked to passing out all day according to mum

Raggie YES I was half convinced I would be giving birth, I really was!!! DP was remarkably calm, said something along the lines of, "If he's due, he's due." To wish I replied something similar as I shrieked at the midwife on the phone - just possibly with a bit more French in it

Pavlov I have a medela swing - is a bit of a frightening looking contraption!!! But very easy to use, from what I've seen. Obviously haven't tried it myself yet, but yeah... Seems nice

Two of my lovely friends came over to see me today to make sure I was okay, bless them. Thing is one only gave me ten minutes notice, and the other none at all! Am shattered, but spent the day sat down, with my feet up. Am taking what they said very seriously... Would rather avoid heading back in again, if I can help it!!!

Again, thank you all for being so lovely and supportive. My head is still a bit messed up today so will try and reply to you all properly again from tomorrow. Hope you're all well x

ARGH! Can't sleep at all. I think the lecture at 9am is just going to have to not be attended. Really restless and odd feeling and baby is wide awake too.