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

[annamama]

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

Blimey. Have inadvertently written a novella. Apologies for my verbosity.

Can you tell DH is away?

DB Skid I wore support stocking for my varicose veins but I'm not sure they helped. After 2 (and now 1/2) pregnancies the front on my legs are literally black and blue with spider veins and the backs from tops to bottom have half inch thick ropey veins snaking in and out of each other. I will never again leave the house barelegged. I really don't like them and if I think hard enough about it, they get me down. But my mantra is: If it's the worst problem I have in bringing my 3 kids into the world then I've done ok.

Just been on an Alpha course this evening - utterly wrung out now! Off to bed!

Still laughing at Arcadie's birth announcement...

Sariska, rotten journey - we gave up trying to get DD to nursery after it took 50 minutes to go half a mile and got home to find neighbors coming back from the station saying don't bother. So I didn't, thankfully. Hope the snow is now at an end and we can get back to normal.

Pacfic, Sarah and everyone else with health woes - hope you're all ok.

DB, what exactly would Kingston do if you presented there in labour? I guess you could be transferred which wouldn't be much fun, and you wouldn't have ante natal care there, so don't listen to my crazy ideas. So much for NHS choice.

Funny what everyone's saying about clingy/tantrumy toddlers. DD is definitely Mummy's girl at the moment and liable to go nuclear when denied, but I'd just put it down as a phase and hadn't connected it with BabyDragon. Will be more sympathetic from now on.

Bed time for me, too. DD's birthday party Sunday, 8 x 3 year olds, am going to need all the sleep I can get!

Skid Just read back my post this morning - it slightly comes across as a "stop whinging woman and count your blessings" rant. It's really not supposed to. I am gutted that I am permanantly disfigured from pregnancy in a way that most people never will be and I really do sympathise.

Blueydragon Glad to have brought a smile to your face. It was, however, perfectly serious post........()

To everyone with health issues hope you are all ok.

Caitni - I am 33+3 and I have definately noticed a change in movement patterns. I had a major panic last week when he didn't perform his nightly 10.30pm breakdance. But movements now seem to consist of the odd head butt to the bladder, random shuffles throughout the day and sporadic attempts to actually kick my ribs out of my chest. Oh and I get more hiccups now. I agree that it all feels more internal now.

Oh and how do some of you manage to post after 10pm? I can't imagine what it is like to stay up that late at the moment, however I am sure I will soon find out what it is like to be up at all hours of the night!!

oh ladies lots going on! (here I mean not at chez smac!)
I've been trying to stay away and get some accounts done but I'm not very disciplined!
rebecca and scooby you have totally done the right thing in starting ML early. Please don't feel guilty.
Manda that case sounds horrible and not proven sounds right to my Scottish ears but the silly English system doesn't have that so sounds like not guilty is the only way.
Pacific March birthdays for all your gang must be so handy for passing clothes down the line as they will all be the right size for the right time of year! If I have another DD then we will hardly need to buy anything for her! Lots of present buying and parties though on the downside for you!
I don't really understand all the white blood cell/bone marrow biopsy thing but sounds worrying and I hope all is okay.
sarah hope the second op went well and that you get your problem sorted - really bad timing for you but it's important to look after yourself and bubs as well as DD.
for varicose veins - I've got some thread veins but nothing more serious than that.
Can't complain about toddler, she is being a wee star, usually manages to be clingy when I am trying to cook and I can't just lift her up and carry on like before but usually bribe her with food and get on with it. Works most of the time. She has a really good nature and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that her nose isn't put out of joint too much when baby #2 arrives.
I'm still getting lots of movement, DD was very active as well and although there is less space now somehow it is still managing to kick a lot. MW says it's head down and 4/5th so I think that means it is engaged. I thought after the first they often didn't engage til labour actually starts? but I suppose it means it's unlikely to suddenly go breach now if head is engaged?
I didn't go near the birthing ball at the hospital so can't comment on cleanliness. The strep B arguement for the birthing pool does sound a bit dodgy. I can understand minimising the risk of infection to some extent but as someone already pointed out what about people who are undiagnosed? Is it not something like 1 in 4 woman carry it without knowing? I certainly was unaware of carrying it last time it was only a week or so after birth that I was itching like mad that a swab revealed I was Group B Strep +.
IWCAS hope you get to use the MW led unit you want
and designerbaby I hope you can get booked into a hospital you are happy with, you need them to have your old notes don't you? I'm not sure what to advise, can you push the Kingston a bit more if that's were you really want to be? Sounds like you have a lot on your plate with DH away and work and moving.
On a complete change of topic I am for once delighted to see some rain! It has washed away all the snow, the binmen have been and collected the backlog of binbags and the council has sent the street sweeper round so the view outside the window is looking pretty normal. No more worrying about skating down the hill

rebeccacad you def mad the right choice, i had the exact same dilemma myself and really thought long and hard about whether to get signed off. everyone i talked to whether friends, fam or medical peeps all said i'd be totally bonkers not to.

i have reached the end of my first week of my sick leave and am beginning to relax a little and forget about work and think about more pressing things like stocking up the freezer with pre-prepared meals, sorting out baby gear, hosp bag etc. I stress thinking about these things rather than doing them! well...plenty of time yet! However, I do feel massively guilty that i am neither working nor looking after my DS (except for on weds)

i am 30 wks today. dont think i am anywhere near engaged, but i wouldnt expect to be at this stage. still lots of movements, usually in the same places at roughly the same times. spd business seems to be settlign down, prob due to lack of commuting/tearing around the place. am hoping that it wont now get any worse. am still waiting for a call back from hosp to get a support belt. called them on tues and thurs and still no call back!

designerbaby we must be not far from each other. re st helier, i went there for cvs test earlier in pg and was really worried about going there, thought it would be dreadful but despite the place looking like a lunatic asylum, they were very efficient, helpful, etc etc. that was obv not on the labour ward but my overall impression was good. i guess you dont want to consider epsom hosp as its so small? that's where i will be and i have found them amazing so far, with the exception of the support belt issue). So much better than where i had ds, over in essex.

manda tough one but i think it went the only way it could. awfult to think that stuff like that happens all the time though

clingy toddlers...? well a little here, and the poor love it making lots of noises each morning about not wanting to go to nursery. he does seem very excited about the new baby. my worry is i need to find lots of non-physical-indoor activities to keep him amused when i have him with me 3 days a week..all your suggestions gratefully received

take care all

Snap Slackbladder ( astonishing given our same due date)

HAPPY 30 WEEKS TO US!!!!! Have a chocolate or 2 to celebrate!!!!!

Gosh manda, what a thing to have to go through in late pregnancy - FWIW my friend who is a lawyer always goes on about how more jurors should have your attitude - too many people go on hunches and 'but I know he did it' feelings and to quote her 'it makes a mockery of the judicial system' so I think you absolutely did the right thing

rebeccad - you have DEFINITELY done the right thing - you are putting your baby first and that is absolutely right, please don't feel guilty - you should feel proud of being a reponsible and caring mother!

arcadie/caitni - thanks for the sympathy re varicose veins. I agree arcadie that if that is all I have to show for 3 beautiful children it is a small price to pay. I think I have accepted them now - just needed to process it and mourn my previously smooth veinless legs (not to mention my non-saggy boobs, flat stomach, pelvic floor muscles....)

Re movements, agree it is totally normal for movements to get less vigorous around now - in fact I think it even says that in my pg book. Also agree it is very early for babies to be engaged - DS was breech until 37 weeks and then did a huge big and quite painful somesault one night annd got himself head down and ready for birth 3 weeks later!

Sympathies re clingy toddlers - I have one too - everything is "coggle (cuddle) mummy, coggle" with arms outstretched in a pathetic (but quite cute) manner!

Made it into work today! A couple of people were surprised to see me; they thought I'd already snuck off onto maternity leave. Hmmm. I wish. However, only 4 weeks to go and only 9 more days in the office and 4 working from home. Wonder if I can leave it until then (37 wks) to sort out bag and baby clothes? Had a stab at sorting out baby clothes yesterday but, frankly, the loft - where they're stored - is a shambles and it all seemed a bit too much effort. Went to Sainsburys instead to take advantage of their 1/3 off baby products.

DB, I've also been to my first NCT ante-natal refresher course. I had half thought that everyone would have much older children but they all have babies/toddlers of between 1 and 2 1/2. Most of them, like me, are also relatively new to the area. We also had a broad range of previous birth experiences: c-section for breech, induction, 4th degree tear etc. And were told - quite rightly, I guess - to exorcise the memory of those previous births by talking them out and then popping them in a sealed box at the back of our minds because this time - whether for better or worse - Will Be Different.

Hope you have a relaxing day "off work", Manda - and a more persuasive trial next week.

Baby very active here. Some of the movements are "internal", as some of you have said yours are but most are definitely not and, really, she seems to be all elbows and knees. I'm guessing she still has a fair bit of room to play around in and am just hoping that doesn't mean that there's still a growth issue (will find out on Monday). I also think she's head down as I am getting kicked in the diaphragm and rib cage a fair bit. Quite different from DS who was breech until 34 weeks and then transverse until 36 weeks - so hopefully plenty of time for yours to turn, Mumbot. I second the Spinning Babies recommendation; I used that site a lot last time.

Thanks everyone for your supportive comments - I know I've done the right thing, it's just taking a bit of time to get my head around the new plan. And work out what on earth am going to do with myself for the next 7 weeks (presuming the baby doesn't come early).

I guess there will be more time for MNing!

Just a quickie - Spoke to Kingston - absolutely not accepting any more women for March. End of.

Spoke to St Helier - absolutely LOVELY lady called Sandy, antenatal secretary. They never turn anyone away, apparently ? and was quite aghast that Kingston would... esp. given my situation.

Explained all about the refurb. and said that although they weren't doing tours 'cause of swine flu risks, she could assure me that everything looks lovely now. Talked a bit about the MW-led unit, and their policies for accepting women into the unit, a bit about my last birth, and then gave me the direct line of the head midwife of the unit, called Gina and suggested I give her a ring and have a chat about it, if it was important to me or worrying me (it is, but I haven't had a chance today).

Said that basically my referral was pretty much guaranteed to be accepted, but that she'd make a note to expect it, and that I should call her personally on Thursday to check and get the process through quickly.

So nice, I feel quite positive about going there - even if it does look like a prison from the outside...

DH and I are going to try and have a nosey at the general building this Sat. afternoon...

db
xx

Hurrah - hooray... it's Friday today!

Only four more weeks of work! Can't bloody wait.

(just thought I'd share my moment of cheerfullness with you - they're few and far between at the moment!

DB - Really pleased for you that there is end in sight and you might get a unit that you are happy with. It must be a worry. Hope you get it all agreed over this coming week.

Rebecca I've been signed off for 2 days now. I'm using the first few days to get some things sorted just in case the LO does decide to arrive early but I'm doing most of it from my bed. I know it sounds lazy but as soon as I move anywhere the BH start intensely again. I still get them in bed but they aren't quite to strong. Looking forward to starting to rest properly next week.

Im 33 weeks tomorrow and at last check LO was 3/5 engaged. I know some of you are feeling less movement but mine seems to be taking on a new lease of life/dancing in there!!

pixie - I think it was you that was after leona lewis tickets?? I have some in newcastle ( not suggesting for a second your daughter travels all the way up here!!! ) I went online today to see if it was sold out before I ebay my spare two tickets and found they have released more tickets for the third row from the front !!! Anyhow I bought them and I'm gonna ebay all my other 4 now. Just mention it in case there has been a stage change and it means you can maybe now get tickets at the venue of your choice that hadn;t previously been available if you're quick??!!

Update on waterbirth - conflicting info continues - despite the consultant saying I can't have a waterbirth as it's the trusts policy- my midwife range today out of the blue ( clearly miffed she had poss been wrong!!) and stated she had checked with the senior midwife at the hospital who says its a load of c**p and I can Oh who to believe!! Anyhow, I thanked her and got the senior lady's name and I'll speak with consultant again in a few weeks. I'm starting to get amused now at their lack of teamwork/co-ordination!!

Hope you all have a good and restful weekend. We have our hospital tour on sunday - here's hoping DH doesn't get too scared off - hee hee!!

Believe the senior midwife or head of midwifery - she's the one with the power.

Ask to have and appointment with her so she can put it on file (see my post of a couple of days ago)

bulletproof Thanks for that - ill ask on Sunday!!

Right girlies. I'm off to Lincoln (again) to attend little sister's hen party. Wish me luck.

wooooooooooooooooooooo finished work today yey yey yey!

But now its real .... am the proud owner of lots of little outfits and a baby gym and some residents bought me some flowers! How sweet!

And the midwife appointment this morning - re arranged from monday because of the snow - was held in an office and I had to lie on the floor which was amusing, when a builder walked in and was waaaay more embarrassed than me or the midwife.. everything fine, baby head down and feet to the right which is good apparently, and blood pressure fine which is great because the amount Ive been swelling up has been quite concerning.. def Carpal Tunnel though but maybe these things will get better now Im NOT COMMUTING anymore Hurray!

DB shocked at a hospital not accepting referals - I havent had to say which hospital/ MLU I want to go to yet.. maybe they work different down south.. but the other place sounds friendly and positive and i guess thats what you need.

Manda gosh I hope next weeks' duty is easier for you. I work as an ASB officer and I find court stressful - so much so I havent gone since October, and send my boss instead.

Smac I wish the rain had lasted here - I might go and do a little dance and see if that works - this morning the ice was so weird and hidden but slippy! A man in shorts and a cowboy hat appeared from nowhere and gave me driving tips but have managed to drive up the hill this evening and park in front of my house for the first time in ages. Just crossing fingers itll be ok when i go to pick up DH at 8..

Rebeccacad I glad you decided to finish work - definitely the right decision. Ive spent the week feeling guilty every time I took a snow day but when I got in everyone said there is no way they'd expect a heavily pg woman to brave the weather when they were feeling dodgy about it themselves.. i think I mean that its unlikely anyone is thinking bad of you, and theyd all do the same in your circs or even make a fuss!

Scooby hope you get your waterbirth sorted. Agree with what everyone else has said about the pool.. and small shudder at what these things imply..

stretch marks - have been religiously bio-oiling my bump up since 8 weeks.. found a stretch mark last week end - on my hip. Hadnt been oiling there so no idea if oil helps.. had no idea my hip was in the danger zone!

Hope your sisters hen do is fun Arcadie.. wish I had a hen do to go on (and was able to drink woo woo's and dance without looking ridiculous, and put on heels without crying)

Afternoon ladies

I've just found out that the first of our NCT group had her baby son this morning - she went into labour right after our very last class on Thursday night and it sounds like things went very well for her (she was 40+4 when she gave birth). I'm second to last in the group in terms of due date, and I just know each birth is going to make me more impatient to meet our baby

Rebecca & Scooby I meant to say that I totally think you did the right thing in terms of getting signed off. Your babies are far more important than work at this stage . Keep those feet up now . Scooby hope you get the waterbirth issue sorted.

IWCAS I also meant to say that I think what you've been told re birth centre is totally unacceptable imho. Surely discriminatory as you're being unreasonably penalised for being honest about your mental health? I'd be tempted to kick up a fuss about it if I were you!

DB I also find it shocking that a hospital can just turn down a referral - I can see how they need to manage resources but still, it seems wrong imho. But I'm glad you've had a good first experience of St Helier's. As Pixie says, it's often the people who make the experience so this bodes well

Arcadie hope you have fun at the hen do! We're off to a gig tonight and am looking forward to it, even though I know I'll be knackered ridiculously early!

Sariska also took advantage of Sainsbury's offer last night - it was great, as we also picked up sleepsuits, vests, muslins etc as it's a third off baby clothes and accessories as well (so highly recommended from me!).

Thanks for all your reassurance re baby movements. It's so interesting to share experiences about this. Of course baby is now back to being very active on a regular basis so am feeling much more relaxed again. Reckon it was just a quiet few days that was a phase...

I feel like I'm always asking questions on here but I have yet another one! It's about baby essentials (sleepsuits, vests, etc) - we bought 0-3 months as I hadn't really thought about newborn size. Is it better to buy newborn sizes or just 0-3 months? Or does it just not matter to have a newborn swimming in its baby gros for a little while?

I'd get a few newborn sleepsuits as well. We actually had to size down to tiny baby when my ds was born (and he was 6lbs 13 so not really tiny). The newborn swamped him to such an extent that he could kick his way out of the legs IYSWIM. 0-3 vests were OK though.

0-3 months might be WAY too big, newborns can be tiny... But I'm sure the shops will still be open after your baby is born, you can send your DH out to buy some more once you know what size the baby is.

db great that you made progress with St Helier. I hope it all works out now and you can relax a little knowing that you won't be turned away. Sounds a little bit like Mary and Joseph 'no room at the inn hospital' with the other hospital!
arcadie I hope you enjoyed the hen night. I don't think I would cope very well with a hen night right now.
caitni I would definitely get some newborn vests and sleepsuits. My DD was 8lb 11 which is a fair old size and she only wore them for 3 weeks but the 0-3 would have swamped her. She didn't loose any baby weight at all just got bigger and many babies lose a bit in the first few days before putting it back on. I bought 6 vests and 6 sleepsuits in newborn size (all white and very boring!) and then my Mum couldn't resist another pack of 3 in Tescos so I had 9 in the end. Like you have discovered the supermarkets do very reasonably priced vests and sleepsuits so I would go and buy some newborn.
It's also worth noting that all the brands have different sizes for the tiny/newborn/0-3. If I remember correctly Tesco and Next are sized quite large. Some Debenhams things that were gifts were sized pretty small and if you get lots of gifts and put them all away in boxes for the appropriate size keep checking them as some stuff just doesn't quite match the label in terms of sizing.
Also if you buy all white/neutral this time round then if you have another child then they can wear the newborn stuff too. I can't remember if you know what you are having - sorry!

Yes Smac, well said, sizing is a jungle!

Happy mat leave Siamese!

Swings - thanks for the encouragement re names! Yes you're right, there won't be millions.

I have no stretchmarks from previous pg and I did nothing! No oils, no creams, I don't even use moisturizer at all, too lazy. But I have lots of stretchmarks from when I was a teenager and grew too quickly (?) on my hips, thighs and boobs.

I don't have varicose veins but I was curious if it can be treated, apparently there's laser treatment for it now, don't know how much it is though...

A tip: Try to not sit leaning backwards or lie down on your back, try to always sit straight or lean forwards, or crawl around on hands and knees... This can help baby not to end up back to back, which is not a good position for labour! (I didn't follow this advice last time, but this time I will...)

Gotta go, have a crying toddler who only wants mummy, does my head in sometimes!