Due May 2010: Where we get a 'bloom' just in time for the christmas mayhem???

[AnAngelWithin]

Morning ladies. Hope you don't mind me starting a new thread! The other one was too big for my computer to manage! lol

01 May - Brightredballoon, 32. #3
02 May - kaystar, 33, #1
03 May - lizzie9442, 23, #4
04 May - ForcesSweetheart, 36, #2
04 May - memorylapse, #5
05 May - Lotus Palm, 31, #1
05 May - Bettymamma #3
06 May - DorotheaPlenticlew, #2
06 May - LuckyC, 35, #1
07 May - Woody31 #1
07 May - hobnobfanatic, 37. #2
08 May - sweetkitty, 34, #4
08 May - Sassles, 30, #1
08 May - TheShopaholic, 33, #2
09 May - Alexw, 37, #2
10 May - Sophie2008, 28, #2 & #3 (Non id twins!)
10 May - Gils, 28, #2
11 May - Itshappenedagain, 25, #2
11 May - sheepgomeep, 32,#4
12 May - pamelat, 31, #2
12 May - Tamuna, 28, #1
12 May - slipperthief, 33, #2
12 May - napa, 31, #2
12 May - Katnkittens 29, #4
12 May - Haribolicious, 36, #2
13 May - Cith, 30, #1
13 May - Wibblela, 36, #1
14 May - Charmbutterfly, 28, #1
14 May - Carikube, 36, #2
14 May - JamesAndTheGiantBanana, 28, #2
14 May - CornishSAMum, 32, #1
14 May - Tinylion #2
15 May - TwentiethCenturyHeffa, 25, #2
16 May - MoggMum, 38, #1
16 May - MinnieMummy, 36, #3
16 May - schipo, 40, #1, [boy]
17 May - newmomma, 31 #2
17 May - LittleOneMum, 36, #2
17 May - First1, 21, #1
17 May - Morph2, 36 #1
18 May - TomlinTowers, 31, #2
18 May - 30ish, 31, #2
19 May - cupcakefairy, 25, #1
19 May - Pigleychez, 28, #2
20 May - LolaAnn, 22, #1
20 May - mmmmmchocolate, 27, #2
20 May - BuongiornoPrincipessa, 29, #1
21 May - Suey2, 39, #2
21 May - Sweetpeasmum, 38, #2
23 May - Swangirl,36 #3
23 May - Mollybob, 37 #3
23 May - RacquelWelsh, 38 #1
24 May - Yorky (started on here as HeadInAWhirl), 31 #3
24 May - Cafuffle 36 #2
24 May - AnAngelWithin #5
25 May - Den26, 26 #1
26 May - Booboomonster 35 #2
26 May - Washersaurus, 33, #3
28 May - Glastochick #1
30 May - tiggsy98 29, #2
31 May - April80 29,#2
31 May - Hollyoaks, 27, #2

schipo have just searched online and it appears that the 12 months' paid SMP which was supposed to apply for babies born after April 2010 has been put on hold along with the increased paternity leave

I expect they'll bring it in too late for us unless there's a sudden turnaround to win the votes!

ML-Glad your home now. Hope they have managed to stabilise everything now.

Booboo- Enjoy your weekend

Molly- Kinda know where your coming from. I think im so busy with a toddler this time that It doesnt feell the same as it did with DD. Dont worry about loving it when it arrives... im sure it will be fine

Hollyoaks- Glad you feeling better, enjoy your night

Pamlet- Hope the redunancy isnt too stressful.

Schipo- about the house, but sounds good advice. Yay for the maternity leave!

Well we bought a new car today. Ford C-max.
Picking it up Tuesday evening. Seems massive compared to what im used to driving. Meant to be going to my parents on thursday which is an hours drive on the motorway so will be a good test of my driving it!

Am very at all this talk of great maternity leave packages. I'm self-employed and get nowt - apart from the basic govt handout, which I couldn't survive on; and DP isn't eligible for any paternity leave either, as he started a new job. God only knows how we're going to cope.

By the way, all those who were late feeling movements - I've only just realised why this pg is so different to my first. It says on my notes from my scan that I have an anterior placenta - and apparently this can dull the movement sensations and you generally feel them later, even though second pgs you're meant to feel them earlier. I wonder if the rest of you have anterior placentae?

That said, when the baby kicks now, there's no mistaking it - and it is generally getting my bowel a lot, which is very disconcerting!

With my birthplan, I'm definitely including that I want to see my placenta. I was so disappointed not to see it with DD1! Apart from that, having an epidural and having DP at the head end, supporting me, rather than the action end, as a spectator, I'm pretty flexible!

hobnob my scan notes say anterior placenta which explains why it took me so long to feel movements. Was starting to worry as everyone else on the thread seemed to be experiencing movements since about week 17! Am now 24 weeks and have been feeling definite kicks for nearly 2 weeks which is very reassuring

Sorry to hear about your maternity/paternity pay issues - the only way we're going to manage is by taking a break from paying the mortgage for 8 months.

I'm also planning on keeping DH at the head end rather than the action end during the birth! Haven't even considered the placenta stage though!?

Pamlet sorry to hear things aren't going so well for you and DH.

schipo hope you manage to find another home soon - keep us posted.

Marquise hope your shopping trip goes well. How lovely that your sis is having a LO at the same time

Hope everyone else is ok and sorry to those I've missed off - I'm feeling tired and fuddled now and must go to bed soon x

Hi folks, hope you're all ok. I can relate a bit to not feeling very connected to the baby yet, I found last time I felt more connected towards the end when they have more of a sleeping/waking routine and they have little quirks, reactions to loud noises or poking etc. Usually by then you've got a name in mind, and that helps too.

Moggmum, everyone makes out that nappies are one of the worst things about having a baby but they're actually not at all. Nature's great, it eases you in gently, the first nappies (if you bf) barely smell. And don't worry about not being maternal now - how you react to other people's kids is no indicator of how much you'll love your own, trust me!

Memorylapse, glad you're ok, you'll have to start putting yourself first and eating regularly if it stops you being ill.

Pamelat, sorry you're having such a difficult time. I'm sure something will turn up with your dh's job situation, things have a way of working out. Hope you've got plenty of real life support to get you through.

My midwife popped round this morning and I did a urine test which showed protein+ and leukocytes++ whatever that means. She asked if I'd been seeing flashing lights, I said I had, so she said she wants me to get checked out at the hospital tomorrow morning (I'm guessing they're worried about pre-eclampsia) but I've had no headaches or swollen hands, and usually my blood pressure is fine, so it's probably something and nothing. Fingers crossed anyway.

James thanks for the reassurance re nappies etc - it's good to hear some positive advice on that front!

Hope all goes ok at the Hosp tomorrow and they put your mind at rest re the 'leuko-whatsits'.

Hi just a quick message as we are having a family tea party thing for DD2's 4th birthday which is on Tuesday.

I'm doing OK it's much better at weekends as DP is here picking up all the running about job and hoovering.

DP thought he would stay at the head end but with DD1 I think he ended up with a leg as he put it. He said it was the most amazing thing he has ever seen and wouldn't miss it for the world (this from the man who cannot watch Casualty) he did say DD2's birth was the best as we had a wait between her head being delivered and the rest of her and he said that sight was brilliant one of his worries is that he misses the birth of DS (DS ) never thought I would write that.

James - hope you are OK off the top of my head protein can be an indication of pre eclampsia and leukocytes are white blood cells which means infection. Probably nothing or a wee infection but they like to be very careful.

pigley - if I can drive a CMAX anyone can, still cannot park it for toffee though, we have been looking at Galaxy's!

Right best be off have mucho cleaning to do

Hobnob..Im self employed too so am having to work as long as I can manage..I beleive Ill be entitled to Maternity Allowance but its only just over £100 a week..ho hum..better than nowt I guess.

I had an anterior placenta last time with DD2 and it really cuchioned her movements, so I didnt really start feeling much until she was quite big

James...protein can be an indicator of pre eclampsia but can also be present if theres an infection..leucocytes are as SK says, white blood cells which can indicate an infection..if you go to hospital, they will probably want to send of a mid stream specimen just to check there is no infection. Did the MW take your BP?

Im off to work in a min and I dont feel like it..I love my job but Im tired now and have had enough..got to do my tax return tonight..oh joy

Hi guys, just got back from the hospital, everything is fine. They dip tested another urine sample and it was all clear, but she said she'd send off the sample to microbiology anyway just to be safe. My bp was fine. Phew!

I've got to do my (last) tax return today too, memorylapse. I'm not self employed any more but I should be entitled to maternity allowance, it's all a bit fiddly.

I just got my health in pregnancy grant form from the mw, but she's put my old name on it (I changed my name by deed poll last year) so I can't bloomin' well send it in to HRMC like that, as they already have my new name on their system, for tax credits etc. Bum bum bum! I shall have to show her my deed poll certificate and get a new form.

It's really important to make sure the mw writes the correct dates and info on the form, as there are literally dozens of people on mn who say they sent the form in with a mistake on, and though the mistake is obvious (for example mw writing EDD as 2009 instead of 2010) the forms are processed by a computer not a person, so the claim is instantly rejected and you have to go through an appeals process which takes several weeks in order to get your money.

Hi all

James so glad to hear that all is ok. You must have been worried.

Thanks all for your reassurance/sympathy. Things are not as bad as they could be. We took an insurance policy on for redundancy (because of finance sector etc etc) and it will pay us about 75% of our monthly mortgage for at least 6 months, so we are fairly lucky.

Also, DH's nana has left him some money so whilst very very sad to lose her, its come at a good time for us financially.

Its sad that money dictates life but it all helps at the time of a baby coming along. So hopefully, we can have a little bit of relief for at least 6 months or so.

Maternity wise, I hope to take 10 months off. 6 months paid, 3 months at SMP and 1 months accrued holiday, so once again, although life has been a bit cr@ppy of late, thats something positive too.

morph, moggmum shame about the smp changes being postponed - although I guess it means we don't have to argue with partners about who gets to use the maternity/paternity time

Moggmum, I haven't made any plans beyond 6 months - my office only needed to make arrangements for first 6 months now and we all agreed that it would be better to make longer term plans after we discovered what sort of a baby will arrive and what sort of a mother I'll turn into. I do intend to return gradually though, a bit of part time work from home to begin with. I have no idea how things will look financially after then though and whether I have to work full time. Most people in london have to go back full time pretty quickly as far as I can tell. Not very excited about putting a small baby in a nursery though, or paying someone else to look after him for me.

Actually, I will be doing mall pieces of part time work from home throughout maternity leave, even in first 6 months - just to keep my hand in and also so that company doesn't have to pull someone in to do things that are much easier for me to continue with.

Sorry hobnob that you don't get maternity leave. Hope you've got lots of RL support and the kind of work that will make it easy for you to continue in first few months.

James, glad your test went well this morning! Nice know that the NHS are over cautious about this sort of thing I guess.

The scale of problems with the house I'm buying is only just starting to sink in. I asked for opinions here in Property/DIY and overwhelming concensus is that we should walk. I'm sadly coming to terms with losing what could have been very nice house, and, possibly, prospect of moving around due date or with very young baby

James glad it all went well today & pamelat glad to hear there are some positives for you re money etc.

schipo your maternity arrangements sound similar to mine as the basis of my enhanced pay was that I do some work from home during the first 6 months to keep my hand in. I did consider returning full time in Jan but, like you, not keen on nursery care so 3 1/2 days is a compromise.

hello all,
I've been lurking for ages but i'm afraid i just haven't been able to keep up with all the news.

ML i'm sorry that your pregnancy is still giving you a lot of trouble. I hope the GD is more under control with the increased injections.

Pamelat- sorry to hear about your bereavements: and your DH's redundancy: quite a time for you.

Mollybob do look after yourself. My PND started with deadness of emotion: i was always able to laugh and kept working. It was only when the panic attacks started i knew i was in trouble. I know you're in the trade, but i always find that self-diagnosis does not work! have you a colleague you can trust to talk to and put your mind at rest? You've a lot on your plate.

Flat out at work, trying to get everything sorted so i can go on ML without too much anxiety. I too only get MA, even though my company's PAYE bill is £3K a month, of which a significant proportion is employer's NI. It makes me really cross how many benefits i have to give staff and get absolutely nothing for myself. I, dear friends, will be back at work 1 month after DD arrives: albeit one day a week. Sorry, rant over.

My birth story is a cautionary tale and unfortunately resulted in my PND which was not diagnosed for months. I was 2 weeks over, went into labour, but contractions stopped after 7-8 hours. This was the middle of the night. Then my waters broke. I went in, and they sent me home to get my things ready for my induction later that day. I had an epidural at 4pm, then the synto drip. after 3-4 hours i was in reasonable pain so I asked the midwife why. She said it was my fault for not using the top up, and not to expect any real pain relief for a couple of hours after using the top up repeatedly. No better, in fact by 10-11pm i was screaming in agony, having 3 2minute contractions every 10 minutes. She told me that i was making it up, the epidural was working and i shouldn't be looking at the contraction monitor as i was making the pain come. She then broke my fore-waters and the pain got even worse. 2-3 hours later I demanded to see someone else- unfortunately my DH was pretty much ignored when he tried to ask for a second opinion many hours earlier. I insisted that the drip was turned off so they decided to call the anaesthetist: who was in theatre for another 2 hours so they turned the drip off until he could come. He came at about 5am and resited the epidural. Pain relief was instant and i fell asleep: but as i was falling asleep i heard the doctor say to the midwife "did she just sleep through a contraction" she said yes then he said 'what the hell has gone on here?'. I then had an examination. Only 1 cm dilated, the baby was back to back and not even pushing on the cervix: so all for nothing. I then said i wanted a CS. They (MWs) said no, you asked for the drip to be turned off so the protocol wasn't followed. I said i didn't care and insisted. They said i'd have to wait as theatre was full, so would i like to try the drip again? No i said, and was immediately wheeled into theatre for my EmCS. Which went brilliantly! The post natal care was shite. BF support negligible: every MW giving different info apart from they all insisted on demand feeding. It was only 10 days later when i finally saw a BF consultant that i got the latch right, DD suddenly started getting enough, and BF were 3-4 hourly rather than 1-2hours. So if i don't have a lot of time for MWs, you will understand why!

Hi everyone

I am interested in the new car chat, we are looking at getting a new car as DH's only has two seats in the back, we were thinking of an S-Max or Galaxy but then the Citroen Picasso Grand are looking a bit more cost effective. Still undecided though as we could use a small booster seat for DD in the back of my car for short journeys (apparently they are for use from 3-12yrs of age but I always air on the side of getting the most safe item there is so we usually use high back boosters with side and head impact support). Anyone got any advice on this?

Regarding maternity leave, I feel a bit guilty that I have already finished work, although it will mean me going back when baby is 10 months old rather than 14months like my other two were (with other two I took mat leave really late and then put the accrued holiday and bank hols on the end of it and went back part time so had full time accrued leave to use on a part time wk). However, during my days off (2 a wk) I am more busy than when I was at work getting things organised and done around the house.
Sorry to hear of those not entitled to mat leave pay.

pamelat sorry to hear of yet more bad news for you, I hope your DH gets a new job soon.

Did anyone make any new years resolutions? I am determind to sort our finances out as we are permanently in debt and skint but I am sure we shouldn't be! Also trying to be a bit calmer and chilled this year, I get too worked up about things and often things that are out of my control.

We had some snow falling today and it made me feel really depressed! Thankfully it didn't settle and has stopped now - had enough snow for this winter!!

Hope everyone is doing ok, I am 26+1 today and looking forward to being in the 3rd trimester next weekend.

Pamelat - sorry to hear your news, glad you're feeling OK about it all.

Glad maternity leave seems to be working out for everyone. I don't get any maternity pay because I don't earn enough/work enough hours but I still need to do all the forms.

Moggmum - James is right about the nappies, neither DH or I mind them at all tbh.

MDM - I had a pretty vague birth plan first time round. I put that I didn't want pethidine but was happy with anything else (not sure why I felt that now) and that I wanted skin-to-skin contact and to BF.

Liking the new smilies

Hello everyone,

Been v quiet but am trying to come out of my shell to communicate with you guys, I guess I'm known as a 'lurker'. You have all been a vault of information and I want to ?give something back?. I just feel with this being my first one and v little advice to give I just don't feel I can contribute much.

Alexw - My MW told me that they have changed the GTT to anyone with BMI over 30 so now I have to have one too - could that be the case with you?

pamelat - I am a v light sleeper and DH's snoring keeps me awake (especially now) but through MN I found this wonderful website - www.britishsnoring.co.uk - my DH snores because of congestion and collapsing back of throat (you can diagnose the cause of DP snoring on website) and I got him Rhynil - he moans every night when he takes it but we've slept in the same bed for nearly two weeks since he started using it! (I have my earplugs as backup if he has a bad night).

pamelat - my thoughts are with you.

MoggMum - my maternity plan is to leave end April (due 14 May) and take 9 months - but might extend it to the 12 months (with last 3 months not paid) as I figure me going back part time is going to be completely swallowed up by child care so why not have an extra 3 months while they're still young? Still all up in the air tho.

Hobnobfanatic I have anterior plancenta (24+3 today) and though I?ve felt movements inside DH is not feeling as many

Thanks for all the birth stories, this is my first and I have no idea what to expect.

Will try and get a few more posts up here especially with cool 'Burns Week' Icons .

Hope all have a great week

For those self employed that will be getting maternity allowance instead of SMP, one advantage of this is that its not counted as part of your taxable income so you can still have another £6.5k of income on top of this in a tax year before tax kicks in. SMP counts as part of taxable income so is added to your total income in working out tax. SMP is at the same rate as MA after the first six weeks so its only in cases where a company pays enhanced maternity where the person ends up being significantly better off.

i just got back from docs after managing to fall out of the bath yesterday when reaching to get something off a shelf. I was pretty sure baby was fine as didn't hit my tummy and had no tummy pain but decided to err on side of caution, doc listened and heartbeat sounded fine so puts my mind at rest. Arm is hurting when moved and doc says its the muscles that have swolen up so to take paracetamol and should settle down in a few days. I seem to be getting clumsy, had that fall yesterday and also managed to drop a glass of water when doing ironing. I;ve also noticed when i do the body test on the wii fit that my centre of gravity is miles off the midddle whereas before pregnancy i'd got to a point where i was nearly spot on

sweetkitty thanks for PGP link and also top labour advice thanks.

TwentiethCH Induced plus 8 hours? I am amazed that you made it that long. Sounds like perfect epidural conditions.

James - cheers - sounds sensible. It's exactly the overwhelmed/frightened thing that worries me. Def better to keep open mind, which for me probably means going to hospital and not home or midwife unit.

Angel and Pigley, hope you're doing better.

Molly, don't need to lurk with concerns about bringing us down. If you could trace me back through these threads, the whole 1st trimester was me saying 'God I am so freaked out and depressed about this' and everyone helping me. So sorry you're still sick: I haven't forgotten how horrible it is. Also remember the shocked/conflicted/guilty for not being excited feelings.

Jjust realised that I missed two pages before I posted!

Forces Thanks, the NCT thing was great, and I now have to start making a big push to meet mums. Don't want to be on my own here post-baby. Proper classes start on Weds.

Welcome back ML and look after yourself.

Pamelat sorry you have had so much to deal with. Well done on getting sleep and coping well.

Also, has done me the world of good to read about everyone else's doubts and fears: whoever said about knowing what sort of mum you want to be but being unsure you can do it - spot on.

Hobnob I am also self-employed and in complete denial about how we're going to cope without my salary. What is anterior placenta? How do you know if you have one?

Schipo gutting about the house.

Well done on good health James and thanks for advice about Mat forms - I think the NHS have me down as a Ms, not a Mrs.

Suey2 good God what an appalling experience. Totally bungled by the MWs. At least you had the strength of mind to insist on a CS.

Lucky - anterior placenta just means the baby is behind the placenta, as opposed to in front of it (posterior). I think there are two other positions that are quite normal too. So it means that movements can be dulled, as there's the placenta between your skin and the baby. I think the only complication can be if you have a CS - the doc just needs to be careful not to cut into the placenta, as there would be more bleeding.

The sonographer writes down on your notes (page 9) the position of the baby in relation to the placenta. It's in the Ultrasound Scan Details bit, under Plac.

Wish my mw had pointed this out to me, as I was quite worried about the late movements when I'd felt them so early with DD1.

Did anyone catch the pregnancy thread earlier - where someone posted at 3 in the morning, asking how long contractions had to be before waking hubbie and contacting the hospital. By the time anyone replied, she'd already given birth and was back at the computer to reply! A very positive story - fingers crossed for such a quickie for us (well, provided care is in place for older kids, of course!).

btw, can we still join the facebook group?

hi all. Hope you are well. Only skimmed over recent posts.

Still suffering with sleep deprivation and nightmares. I had that one good night and thats been it since. The weekend has been hard work, ds1 is being particularly difficult lately.

Took my dog to the vets this morning, shes got an infection in her tumour which isn't good and her cough is 'fluidy' They have taken her off the anit-inflammatories as they aren't doing anything for trying to slow the growth of the tumours and have put her on antibiotics for a week now. The tumour is starting to split and if the infection doesn't clear up, we will haev to have her put to sleep. It's heartbreaking really, especially as shes still managing to eat and wag her tail at me, she doesn't seem THAT bad as such, but looking at her, knowing that, in a nutshell, she IS dying, I can't handle it. Doesn't look like we will have as much time as wel had hoped with her at this rate.

Was supposed to be picking the pram up a week today, but a huge vets bill in recent weeks, and I've got to take her back to the vets next monday anyway, means it will probably have to go on hold. I've got the midwife that afternoon as well and 2 judo runs to do in the evening and DH is at college that night. Too much running around. Thinking of postponing the pram.

Hi all,

Not been on in ages, been busy sorting stuff out with my upcoming move, and finding it hard chasing around after DD at the min due to my size carrying the twins.

Any how updated the list with the sexes of the two monkeys.

01 May - Brightredballoon, 32. #3
03 May - hormonalmum, 33,#3
03 May - Lizzie9442, 23, #4 GIRL
04 May - ForcesSweetheart, 36, #2, GIRL (CS booked 22/4/10)
04 May - Memorylapse,37 #5 GIRL
04 May - Squirtsmum, 27 #1
05 May - Sweetkitty, 34, #4, BOY
06 May - LuckyC, 35, #1, GIRL
07 May - hobnobfanatic, 38, #2 GIRL??
08 May - newmomma, 31, #2 GIRL
09 May - alexw, 37, #2
10 May - Sophie2008, 28 #2 & #3 (TWINS!) BOY & GIRL
10 May - LittleOneMum, 36, #2, GIRL
11 May - Itshappenedagain, 2, #2 GIRL
11 May - MarquiseDeMerteuil, 33, #1
12 May - pamelat, 31, #2 BOY
12 May - Katnkittens 30, #4, GIRL
12 May - Haribolicious 36, #2, BOY
13 May - Cith, 30, #1
13 May - Wibblela, 36, #1, GIRL?
13 May - TinyVeins, 29, #1
13 May - Mummymunchkins, 40, #3, BOY
14 May - MinnieMummy, 37, #3, ??
14 May - Fiveisanawfullybignumber, 37 #5 GIRL
14 May - Carikube, 36 #2 ?
14 May - JamesAndTheGiantBanana, 28, #2 GIRL
14 May - CornishSAMum, 33, #1, ?
15 May - TwentiethCenturyHeffa, 26, #2
15 May - LuckyMiller, 33, #1
16 May - MoggMum, 38, #1
16 May - schipo 40, #1, BOY
16 May - Vicky204, 34, #1
16 May - Rachelfruitloop 35, #2 BOY
17 May - Morph2 36 #1
18 May - TomlinTowers, 31, #2
18 May - 30ish, 31, #2 BOY
19 May - Pigleychez, 28, #2
19 May - cupcakefairy, 25, #1
21 May - Sweetpeasmum, 38, #2
23 May - Mollybob, 37 #3
23 May - Racquel Welsh, 38,#1
23 May - Nimk, 30, #1
23 May - myfirstbump, 26, #1
24 May - AnAngelWithin #5
24 May - Yorky, 31, #3
24 May - peakyispreggers, 27, #1 BOY
25 May - Den26, 26, #1 BOY
26 May - booboomonster, 35, #2
26 May - kateyjane, 32, #4
31 May - Hollyoaks, 28, #2

Hi I have been on the pregnancy thread may babies. But wondered if its o.k if I join this one?
Never dare post on here as everyone seems so well established and I didn't want to gate crash. But I'm lonely on the other thread as people don't seem to be on it much, either that or I have too much time on my hands!!
BTW I am due May 12th.

Hi mustbemadno3 and welcome! Feel free to add yourself to the list as we would love for you to join us.

There has been so much news since I last posted that I have no hope of mentioning everyone by name, but I hope that everyone is well. Not much else to say but I do want to try out the new smileys