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Due March 2010 - just because I'm pregnant at Christmas doesn't mean I'm a taxi driver

964 replies

annamama · 02/12/2009 16:56

... new thread for oldies and newbies due in March! ...

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
itwascertainlyasurprise · 10/12/2009 13:21

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BulletProofMum · 10/12/2009 13:47

They've changed the law so that insurance has to be offered up to 32 weeks.

I'll be 34 weeks and it would be covered by business insurance. They have no rules re weeks - it is about 'fit to fly'. The airline will also carry me up to 36 weeks and don't even want a 'fit to fly' note! I gues statistically the chances of my going inot labour ont he flight are pretty low. I figure at most I would be 4 hours away from a hospital - even mid-Atlantic!

I don't mind travel - it's a break from the children!

It would be business class and as I have SPD I would make full use of wheelchairs at the airport.

I discussed it with my husband and instead of expressing concern for me travelling he was pissed off about looking after the children! Wrong answer and it made me more resolved to go!

Pacific: sounds like a horrible experience - glad it turned out well. Was DC3 a 'normal' pregnancy (whatever that means!)?

So are you all ready for Christmas? I can't wait for a couple of weeks off work - I just feel exhausted at the moment. I've done most of the present shopping - just need to do the boys. We are going to do a 'Toy RUs run tomorrow night and get it all done. I am curious to know who Optimus Prius is - DS1 is telling everyone that's what he wants.

I keep think ing of IWCAS poor friend and her family. I am terrified (pregnancy hormonally irrationally so) of the boys getting it. Especially DS1 as he has asthma and prone to respiratory infections. I'm going to see the GP again on Saturday to see if I can beg /plead /bribe him to allow him to have it before the official roll out. He turns 5 in Jan so may miss it if the GP's won't agree on their compensation. Not sure why they should get comp. - surely it's their job to keep people healthy? Rant over.

MummyElk · 10/12/2009 13:48

arcadie your nosiness is catching methinks

itwascertainlyasurprise · 10/12/2009 14:12

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WaitingForVino · 10/12/2009 14:27

re thread title: oh yes you are!!!

I am only allowed to say this to you all because I was due in March (2006). And yes indeed you are the designated driver ;-)

on the plus side, when you do have one glass (say, for example, a glass of bubbly on NYE) you will immediately feel divine/pissed. Hurrah! Wasn't that easy?

Enjoy & good luck.....(won't scare you with all the horrible bits about my 3.5 year old DS and just tell you this one good bit, which is, he said to his little sister today, "I wuv you.") awwwwwww

evitas · 10/12/2009 14:33

dear all,

thank you very very much for all your messages! a big kiss :* !

I've been trying not to take the maximum dose of painkillers and I've been in bed most of the time.
I think I need to reconsider my PhD, my deadlines and try not be (so)stressed . All of this just mad me put things in perspective.

I hope everyone gets fit and well so e can all enjoy Xmas.

xxx

designerbaby · 10/12/2009 14:36

That's interesting BPM... It was a nightmare when we were trying to sort it for the wedding, and to be honest we just gave up ? that said, if we'd have been flying business class I might have been more inclined to try a bit harder .

AND I didn't have DCs to need a break from at that point - I sometimes fantastise about a trip away - just a wee one... Just the idea of a night with guaranteed unbroken sleep, the possibility of having a poo at home without an audience (TMI? Sorry..) and to be able to have an evening off guilt-free without having to look at the pile of laundry/ housework / etc. that I really OUGHT to be doing.

That said, I've been given the opportunity a couple of times, but have been squeamish about leaving DD she's been in our lives, I've not yet managed a night away from her...

How stupid pathetic am I? That said I get a bit teary when I miss bedtime, and DH gets her to call me while I'm at work...

I'm clearly a lost cause. DH thinks we should try and go away for a long weekend before DD2 arrives, but I think it's doubtful because frankly we don't have the time or the finances... Also a bit of me thinks this is the last time I'll have quality time just me and DD...

BPM - silly DH of yours clearly didn't think through his response to well did he? Don't blame you for being even more determined to grab your chance while you can...

I'm ready for Christmas in that I'm totally knackered and desperate for a break from the work/nursery run schlep.

But not in the sense that y in-laws are descending on us in our tiny rented flat for three weeks... They're used to their 2 maids, gardener etc at home, and tend to exoect the same level of 'service' with us... Last time was last Christmas when DD was 5 weeks old. That was TREMENDOUS fun.

Especially with DFIL constantly saying every time DD cried "She's hungry. You need to give her a bottle - there's no way you can BF a baby that size... She's losing weight etc. etc. " (She wasn't and I successfully BF my 98th centile daughter for 6 months...)

And BREATHE... I'm sure it'll be fine this time... So long as he doesn't mention C-sections any more...

That said I really have to do some decorating, we have no tree, nothing at the moment, haven't bought a single present or written a single card...

Denial? Moi?

Having SF jab on Monday, and suddenly have an attack of cold feet... Someone tell me I'm doing the right thing?

db
xx

BulletProofMum · 10/12/2009 15:28

Yopu are absolutely doign the right thing.

Pregnat women are by far the most likely to end up in hospital due to complications from SF.

The chance of compicaitons fromt he jab are absolutely minimal compared to the risk of complications due to sf itself.

You are absolutely doing the right thing.

When pepole compare this to thalidimide etc the comparison is simply not valid (I'm a scientist; neuropharmacologist)

  • 'trust me I'm a doctor

Evitas - how far into writing up are you? I remeber those horrid days well. So glad it's a distant memory now!

What's it on?

Caitni · 10/12/2009 16:00

DB I totally second BPM - you're doing the right thing not just by yourself but by your DD and DH too .

BPM hmmm a business class flight would be lovely though at your DH's reaction - ruddy men!

BulletProofMum · 10/12/2009 16:35

I travel a lot and have two modes:

  1. living it up in either business or first; enjoying flat beds and unlimited booze and NO KIDS!
  1. cheap packages (often transatlantic) in scummy jets with two children clambering over me and the seat back in my nose; no entertainment.

The worst was flying to Brazil on holiday whist 28wk pg with DS2; DS1 didn't have a seat (

PixieOnaChristmasTree · 10/12/2009 16:42

Smac - DD1 didn't actually start ballet lessons until she was 6 and it was, ironically, her sister who wanted the lessons. I don't know whether I'd start them at ballet until they get to school age (DD2 was 4) - are there any 'music and movement-y' type things where you are?

We had an awful evening last night - DD1's period started when she got in from school and she was getting through a sanitary pad every hour. I rang NHS Direct eventually who said she should put a fresh pad in and see how long it took to soak through - typically it slowed down then and she was OK after that, but I was pretty scared. Motherhood, eh! I kept her off school today, so we've been having a duvet day, although I let her go to ballet tonight as she seemed fine.

Off to make a nutritional meal of fishfingers and chips for the other two now, as they both have playdates and DS's is particularly fussy - I offered about a million things in the car, but he will only eat pizza/fishfingers/chicken nuggets it seems. And he's requested his food in three different cups !

scarysarahandco · 10/12/2009 17:07

omg HOW MUCH HAVE I MISSED!!!!!!

Hope everyone is well,

All good here just been a hectic week with nativity plays and scans etc!!!

Ds was a drummer boy in his play and did a fab job!!! he and his school friends all were so proud of themselves.

i went for my 28 week growth scan yesterday(have one at 28 and 32 weeks as ds was low birth weight) baby is doing very well, was lovely to see him again, saw consultant afterwards and they are happy with my pregnancy so far, bp is low again which is good as its usually borderline!!! they took some swabs as i have alot of discharge atm(soryTMI) though she said all seems to be ok, will tect anyway,

got to go back on 6th jan for another scan and see consultant(also its dh's bday that day) although i am going to ask them not to check my bp on that day as DD goes in for her op on the 7th and i know it will be high!!!!LOL

i have packed babys bag ready for delivery, i have also bought new pj's and dressing gown and slippers, breast pads and maternity towels for myself, so i feel relativly organised, (mainly due to DD's op as i know i wont have much time to get ready etc once she is in plaster etc!!!) will pack it all after xmas and store out of the DC's way !!!!lol

gotta go off to work now, spk tomorrow and catch up properly,

MummyElk · 10/12/2009 18:02
Shroomer · 10/12/2009 18:23

Right ladies, this is my last post for a few days - off to a cottage in Cumbria for a few nights with partner. This will probably be our last time away together without kids. We're hitting M+S food hall on the way to stock up on scrummy food (have £30 of vouchers to use by the end of the year). Looking forward to toasting myself in front of the open fire and watching dippers in the river from the window. We've stayed there before, and tis very special. Will miss the wine side of things mind...

Anyone else have an achey rib? My left hand ribcage is aching. I thought that sort of thing didn't start until third trimester.

Byeeeeee - big wave

Shroomer · 10/12/2009 20:56

(sneaks back to update on recent ablutions)

Just tried to shave my legs in the bath. Who'd have thought it would be so tricky manoeuvring around the bump? Carnage. Blood everywhere. I thought I'd try to make my legs, which are no longer the boxercise legs they were and are more vessels of maternal storage tissue, a bit more glamorous. Now they're covered in sticky plasters and smell of TCP.

scarysarahandco · 10/12/2009 21:40

mummyelk awww thanks for thinking of me!!!! just been a mad week!!!!lol

Hope you had a fab eve out and did't end up being a taxi for everyone!!!!

Enjoy your ferw days away shroomer how lovely!!!! poor legs though¬!!!!

right off to bed- i have my Glucose Tolerance Test in the morning 9am!!and have to fast for 12 hours i have just got in from work and want to eat so i am going to bed!!!!!boohoo!!!!

will feel like a pin cushion, i had bloods took wed, swine flu jab today, more bloods taken tomorrow for the GTT plus anti D!!!!! ouch!!!!!

nite all, xxxx

Arcadie · 10/12/2009 22:22

shroomer I stand with you in your achey rib. I've had it every pregnancy and it gets quite debilitating for me. I think personally it's a bit like SPD for the ribs. Let me know if you find an exercise to improve / cure such minor niggles.

evitas · 11/12/2009 13:11

I think I'm also going to pack my hospital bag (just in case). I need to wash all the lovely and small clothes... they are so sweet!!

BPM - was your PhD in neuropharmacy? I have a couple of friends in the sciences field. My background is in landscape architecture, and my PhD is about the use of outdoors spaces by immigrant communities (preferences,social activities, memories, etc.) All data has been collected and analysed, the literature review and methodology chapters are done... so now is write about each method, discussion and conclusion (very scary chapters!! )

Shroomer - enjoy your romantic escape!

MandaHugNKiss · 11/12/2009 13:54

Aw, I've been remincisin for some time now, thanks to your post, shroomer

I was very close to my Nan (lived with her a whie when I was 8) and she left London for the Lakes when I was about 12. So I've spent many a summer and, actually, trips in the winter there. Infact, we (my mother, sister and I) went to live there for a while when I was 14 (lived in Grange-over-sands, went to school in Cartmel) but it didn't work out. Mum's precarious mental state in addition to two teenage lived-in-london-all-their-life kids didn't make for a good combo!

I do love it there, despite many of my memories involving rain. Lots of rain. But couldn't live there. Not yet, anyway. Maybe when I'm older.

One particularly vivid memory is one of the most chilling of moments I've had - wastwater open up in front of me (we'd gone on a car ride just... because. Nan and my uncle thought I'd like Was even though it was very grey and raining). The water looked BLACK. And as we stood there looking over it, slowly getting wetter, my uncle relayed the story of how divers had found the body of a woman killed by her husband on a ledge in the water. Wastwater is the deepest lake in England, and soooo cold the water had preserved her body - she looked 'like wax' - even though it had been there for years and years. If her husband had only rowed a few more yards out then she would have sunk to the bottom, never to be found.

Um, but enough of doom and gloomy memories! Have a wonderful time! Don't eat too much Kendal Mint Cake and induce gestational diabetes!

Hope the night out was fun, mummyelk! At least you can be sure in your sober pregnant state you wouldn't be making a fool of yourself by throwing up, trying to snog someone inappropriate, or dancing the funky chicken. Ok, ok, so maybe you danced the funky chicken. And it would have looked all the more hilarious with a bump .

sarah you're living up to your moniker... packed your bag already?! SCARY!!

pixie sympathies for DD... my DD seems to be going the same way I did. Started at 12, and around the 14 mark each period becoming debilitating - to the point of throwing up the pain is so intense. Two out of her last four have been like that. Mine were more often than not like that until after I had my first DC. Actually, pacific would you advise I take her to my GP? I ask, and am hesitant, as when I went, repeatedly when a teen (it was wrecking thre days of my life each month and I was guaranteed to miss school) first they tried Ponstan(?) then The Pill (at 14!) when neither of those helped I was told it was somethng that would improve when i had a child (great, I'm 14... are you suggesting I start now?!). Are things still the same?

hecklephone · 11/12/2009 20:04

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrggghhh!!!!!

And relax.

Having One of Those Afternoons/Evenings. WHY is my husband such a SLOB??? We put up some of the Christmas decorations this afternoon which was lovely, but all of the empty boxes are still strewn in the hallway, and the living room floor looks like there's been a severe tinsel shower. "Don't worry, DH, I'm six months pregnant but I'LL put the boxes back in the loft, then hoover the living room, shall I? Then I'LL tidy away all the tea dishes AND clean the bathroom, which is well overdue for a scrub." I didn't say any of this, of course. Oh yes, AND he refuses to put away a massive jigsaw languishing on the dining room floor "because there's a piece missing". Apparently it's against the law to add the piece to the box at a later date. Heaven knows how long it's going to be before that piece shows up, but I'm telling you if it's still not there after this weekend I am going to make the whole lot mysteriously disappear!!!

I know he's tired too and really busy - he's playing bass in a panto all week (it's paid so I can't complain) and now we're just both getting ratty with one another but honestly, I do feel I'm getting the lion's share of the tasks here. Not to MENTION the fact that I'M the one sorting most of the Christmas presents and I'll be the one writing and sending the cards too. (I'm seriously considering sacking that whole idea - honestly, will ANYONE notice if they don't get a Christmas card from us this year??)

AND DD now appears to be under the weather. She was really moany and cried walking all the way back home from nursery and I was really cross with her, then felt rather guilty when, as soon as we were home she crawled up onto my knee and fell asleep which she NEVER does any more. She seems to be running a bit of a temp tonight too and was still really tired so has gone to bed early. She had her MMR booster a couple of days ago and I'm wondering if it's that - but then she was similarly poorly on Sunday before the vaccination. So now I'm with DH AND feeling a bit Bad Mummy

Enough ranting.

at your business trips BPM - sounds like bliss (although I'd miss DD too if it was me)

Mummyelk did you manage to work it out then?? My curiosity is also piqued but don't worry IWCAS if I manage to work it out my lips are also sealed!

Hospital bag - not even thought about it!

evitas and elk sorry to hear about your scares - hope you're back to 'normal' now.

Clumsy - I'm such a butterfingers just now. I think it's the ultimate irony that PG makes you drop EVERYTHING yet completely UNABLE to bend down and pick it up.

TFI bloody Friday, eh?? I am actually looking forward to the weekend - want to spend some time with DD and DH and I have a Christmas meal out with some mum friends on Sunday, so will have to purge the grumpiness from my system tonight so I can make the most of the next couple of days. Somehow, I think Ben & Jerry's might help...

hecklephone · 11/12/2009 20:07

PS thanks again to everyone who offered advice and encouragement about teaching - I had my first 2 classes this week and it went well. I certainly didn't run out of the college screaming anyway, which was one of my big fears! I think I'll survive (maybe even enjoy?) the next few weeks and am still immensely grateful for the opportunity to give a new job a shot so far into a pregnancy, even if it means there could be very little pre-baby mat leave!

donttrythisathome · 11/12/2009 21:00

Just a quickie..

evitas and elk - poor you. Hope your feet are up and you're relaxing. Hard to do this time of year I know.

And Hecklephone I missed all that about your new job! Congrats and good for you!

Bought a notebook so can write down all the great tips and so on from here. And make my lists (the headgirls of the thread would be so proud).

PacificMistletoeandnoWine · 11/12/2009 21:37

Hello, all, my, it has been busy again, hasn't it, this thread?!

Just responding to something Caitni said yesterday: I think it is very easy to forget in the whole excitement of pregnancy that it is really only the very start of a much longer journey: looking after you child. But then, I also feel the same about weddings: at the end of the day, even the most lavish wedding is only 1 day (or 3 days or whatever you've got planned ) and a marriage will hopefully last a bit longer... For all the first-timers out there, that's one of the things that stopped me worrying about labour too much (apart from the fact that women have been doing this for thousands of years ): labour is finite, it comes to an end, one way or another. It is only afterwards, that the adventure really begins...-oh, I am getting myself quite excited here, roll on March !!

Manda, thanks for the sympathy for long hours, you clearly know what I am talking about, booo.
Dropping DS2, hmm, yes, was in totally sleep befuddled state, dropped him from my arm at my standing height on to wooden floor in the middle of the night - I did not even realise until he started crying, poor guy ! As it happened, had a hospital appointment the next day and was agonising over whether to fess up or not (had visions of DS being taken from me ). When I told the nurse what had happened, she said: "You are not the first to drop a baby, and you won't be the last!" All I can say, it has never happened since...

BNP, I like your style re flying , sounds like you are going to have a lovely old time - provided you are well enough. I would second all the advice on best possible travel insurance, just in case..

DB, you sound like a lovely mum au contraire to me: I have always been delighted to have a break from my dearly beloved offspring . My excuse is that I have no help, no family, DH who works long hours/over night, so on the rare occasion where they are looked after by somebody else/I do not have to do bedtime/get up in the morning I AM LOVING IT!! Remind me again, why am I haveing a 4th?? Logic just does not come into it.

Manda, re periods: do take your DD to her Gp for some advice. I thope think at least attitudes have changed in regards to treatment of troublesome periods. A lot of young girls have a terrible time of it, and yes, time does help. But if she is suffering/missing school/fed up with it, get her seen. Treatment choices, I am afraid, are not that much different: Ponstan (Mefencamic acid), Tranexamic acid, or hormonal treatment aka the pill. Simple antiinflammatories can help as well, ie Ibuprofen. They, like Ponstan, work best if taken from the day before a period starts, so works best for girls with predictable cycles or reliable premenstrual symptoms.

All the unwell/worrying mums-to-be: I am thinking of you, hope all is well .

Everybody else gets a

Have you noticed I am using the multiple-windows-open-technique??

designerbaby · 11/12/2009 23:58

Aww shucks Pacific... That was a nice thing to say - although I have to fess up to the fact that I am blessed in having a DD who basically is a little sweetheart 95% of the time (the remaining 5% though she really makes up for lost time!!)... And I only currently have the one, quite probably a couple more down the line I would also take any escape route going !! And sometimes I worry that I'm a bit co-dependent as I definitely seem more bothered about being with her at bedtime and stuff than she is [pathetic emoticon!]

I do also sometimes wish I had more support and family close by - I've only my mum, really, and she's 3-4 hours away... I have a friend who gives her DS to alternate grandparents each Saturday morning until Sunday morning so they can have a day together as a couple and a night's unbroken sleep... Both sets are also retired do if she ever needs to go to the hairdressers or whatever they're never stuck for babysitting... Not that I'm or anything, you understand... No, not in the slightest....

Manda, I also had horrible periods as a teenager and ended up on the pill at 15, which dud sort it out for me pretty much overnight - so worth considering - although I guess it might have to be accomoanied by a little chat about erm, related topics...

Hecklephone - I feel your messy husband pain... Even when they try and help they end up making a horrific mess... Hey hi. My DHs speciality is bits of paper, receipts and scrumpled tissues... Everywhere! If he ever went missing , I swear you could just follow the paper trail - which I suppose is reassuring...

Anyway must SLEEP... Am officially done in...

Night all

db
xx

Arcadie · 12/12/2009 09:16

Pixie Ooooooooh get you and your thread that's on the highlights. Are you actually a real bona fide Mumsnet old hand?

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