Due March 2010 - "Hello Baby... Goodbye Pelvic Floor"

[Arcadie]

Welcome to the March Preggos. Here's hoping we see nearly 1000 posts before anyone pops!

puree, congratulations on house purchase! I missed that earlier, sorry.
We moved into our current house (4 bedrooms) with 2 children and have had lots of comments about "oh, you will have to fill all the bedrooms" particularly after conversion which netted a 5th room... The remarks never stopped - I hope they will stop now !
May your new house be a happy home to you all

Congratulations on the house

I am so desperate to move - we though we'd be settled in our nice big house by now - instead we daren't get the baby stuff out the attic lest it look cluttered.

We can't dropt he bloody price any more as we won't be able to afford teh one we have set our hearts on

Had a crap nights sleep as have a number of important presentation to give this afternoon. I was supposed to be giving them in the US but didn't feel up to travelling.

I'm also facing redundancy and re-org and was having horrible dreams of failure

Sorry - just thought I'd share that I just need to get through today then I feel I can switch off and coast to mat leave (two weeks tomorrow)

BPM - hugs!! Good luck with the presentation, I'm sure it will go well!

Just off for yet another blood test, but wanted to say...

...no more work. For six months at least. Maternity leave has landed. I can do anything I want, anytime I want!!! Whoo-hoo!

...OK, so now what do I do?

Is anyone else feeling a bit "meh" and even a little scared about going on maternity leave, or is it just me?

I have an academic brain, and work has been my thing for over ten years. Now it isn't. Now I have to learn something else, something completely alien and new that involves lots of very physical and weird stuff happening, while someone else gets to sit in my chair and do my job. I must admit to feeling that it's wrong, somehow.

BPM - what can I say? There's nothing I can say but to offer you a humungous hug [bHUG]. Worst case scenario - if you do get made redundant you could perhaps work freelance (I don't know your job though). I do that, and I think that working from home is going to be ideal with a baby.

Jashook I empathise so much with what you say. As for what you do now - pelvic floor exercises, chocolate, cups of tea, reading, and nesting. I feel pretty weird about impending sprogdom too.

As for worrying about the change from using your academic brain to something alien - I think that we didn't evolve to have to process so much information every day.
Some jobs (like academic ones) can be worse - all that critical reading, writing, research. I'm sure that a switch for a few months to something we certainly were built to do (have children), is surely a good thing. I'm going to borrow someone's playstation and play some games, watch Madmen and the winter olympics, etc, etc.

Thanks for the hugs! Gosh I really do seem to be feeling sorry for myself.

Jashook - don't worry - the baby will soon occupy your life. I'm a scientist and found the break from job and career well earned and enjoyable. It was lovely just to switch off from thinking. However after 6 months I did find that I began to lose my sense of identity. I found my new mummy friends great and they still are, but became frustrating that conversationwas always child-related. Never seemed to discuss anythign else (news, work anythign really).

I can't say I was glad to get back to work but enjoyed it once I was back. If you return to wrk your attitude twards it will change completely. My children come first and that's an absolute; I always feel as if I'm doing a half-arsed job at work and a half-arsed job at being a Mum. However - my career has continued to move forward, my children don't seem damaged so it is possible to do both. In fact it is nice just leaving work and switching off completely (well most of the time).

Shroomer - I remeber buying playstation games looking forward to playing them.. think thye're still int he wrappers 5 years on!

I'm a stay-at-home mum against my will really as I used to live & work in London, then moved out to Kent when I met DH and now I find the commute to long and we can't sell our house. I can't wait to go back to work in the City at some point! But some people really enjoy being SAHMs and some would like to but can't afford to... We're all different.

Manda - yes thanks the cough is much better now, and I'm not weeing in my pants anymore! Hope you feel better soon...

I have nothing to add really. Sometimes I get a sudden feeling of excitement at the baby coming soon! Sometimes I panic about the birth and if something is wrong with the baby, and about having 2 kids.

DD has started having proper tantrums, usually about nothing, like me refusing to eat her half eaten cheese on toast with no cheese left. It's quite funny really. I'm trying to prepare her for the baby coming, I mention about it every now and again, she seems ok about it, but I don't know how much she really understands.

OK I found a spare 2 1/2 hours and read through the posts....

Here goes the reply!

Mummyelk IWCAS Evitas Skid sorry DrSkid ( I knew you before the PhD) Smac and PDoggy THanks for the good wedding wishes and nice comments about the bridesmaid's dress. I felt like a turquoise MOUNTAIN on the day but some photos have come out quite nicely. Best mate is official photographer so hopefully will get to sneak a look at the official photos before sis comes back from Zanzibar.

DB House move??? How goes?

Scooby at hospital being foul. Sounds a lot like York - not awful just a bit grubby and run down. Bring on homebirthing Arcadie.

Scooby again Which channel is Grey's Anatomy back on? Is it Sky or Digibox? I last saw it when Christina and Burke didn't get married and I've really missed it.

PDogwood So peased that bone biopsy went well. Also faintly amused to hear you say that acupuncture may have some merits. A friend told me that my "labour inducing massage" would have worked if it had ben a "labour inducing acupuncture" session ( and is annoyed that I haven't taken her advice but that's another story) Might there actually be some truth to said rumour?

Sariska I tried the treasure chest idea. DS preferred the "Cbeebies" method of keeping himself entertained....

Hecklephone OooOooh get you and your fancy pants syndrome! And genuinely sorry you're going through the mill with it.

Shroomer x2000 at the idea that they could get your blod group wrong. Although thinking you're Opos when you're actually Apos is a MUCH less serious problem than the other way round (if biology GCSE was right)

JasHook at your maternity leave (SAHMs don't get them...) but I do know what you mean. I remember that starting summer holidays as a teacher always felt like a MASSIVE anticlimaxcompared to how amazing you think it#'ll be. You'll fill you time with TV and being a lady what lunches.

BPM YANBU at all at that very very rude "friend" What happened in the end? Did he behave?

Pixie ROFL at the fish finger costume.

Evitas and Pixie Hurray for your bodies revving up for labour... fret not. Mine came out a good fortnight before an induction FINALLY brought DD out.

and finally

Puree 9 days to go!!! Wooohoo.. Whoever wanted a sweepstake on first baby...my fiver says PureeandPearls.

Arcadie news:

DD coping very well without front tooth although her diction is slightly off again.

I went for my first of 6 pregnancy massages last night. (Apart from the one I had to bring on DD's labour that didn't work) GLORIOUS experience and worth every penny of my ENTIRE HIP grant plus a tenner. She asked if I had an particular problems and when I said "Mild sciatica and rib pain" I got my ass and norks massage to boot. Might tell her that they were completely cured next time and could she just rub my back.....

Scroomer I would get you MW to get that blood group note sorted on your notes - I think they do a match before they give you anything but not good to chance a mix up.

Me very at impending births, with 8 wks to go for me no matter which way up I put the calender or how many lines I put through the days seems to still be not HERE enough.

Bump seemes to be permanently tight (braxton hicks?) or have a bum sticking out, so sympathies to all who are uncomfortable

Plugs etc are only signs that you'll give birth soon as if we didn't know - how soon is like a piece of string. I had contractions for a week last time before MW took pity on me & gave me a sweep.

For those with breech etc one lady at antenatal classes was booked in for section because breech but it turned last minute I think that was after 37wks. I think she crawsled around her office on all fours for last week much to amusement of workmates

House movers, don't envy you hope evertything goes ok, cant beet a friend of mine wnt out of rented house, had baby, in new house next day, Hubby trying to sort out move during her labour

WEnt to meet a friend in town for coffee today; haven't seen her since, ooooh, August I think (when she gave me a blankie from mamas and papas for the baby). This time she slid a little bag across the table with a no added sugar sleepsuit in it (she isn't to know, but they very recently became an obsession when I bought five (count 'em!) myself!). It's black and white striped with 'sleep thief' on the front and cheered me up immeasurably. I know there's a matching pixie hat so I need to track one down

Spending six hours out has completely and utterly kaflumpta'd me... and sorry I missed comiserating about DD's lost tooth arcadie. Poor thing. Maybe people will just think she's really physically advanced

I can't even begin to imagine selling/buying a house right now. I mean, I ought to consider buying a cot but that's about as far as I could manage, I reckon. Packing? Of course, some people like that stuff () and even if not, the eexcitement of a new home is compensation enough.

Regretting the half caff latte now... eyelids drooping; I shoulda gone the whole hog!

hi all, wow for the mammouth posts ladies,

Glad to hear everyone is doing ok, xxx

saw mw yesterday all ok here, so cant grumble,

4 weeks to go and i really cannot wait !!!!LOL

God, still at work (and this is the earliest I've left all week) - this last week before maternity leave starts is killing me but I will clear everything i need to. I. Will. Clear. Everything.

Am totally knackered though! 36 weeks now and feeling massive...and having BHs throughout the last few working days are not the reminder I need to take it easier. Ah well...end in sight. Major of everyone already on ML.

Apologies for the self-centred post. Am wiped. But caught up (I hope!) with the thread - arcadie how stressful for your DD, and for you of course. I personally think gappy smiles are adorable so bet she looks as cute as ever! Glad the wedding was fun.

Pacific hope the hip hurts less now.

Apologies for missing everything else. Am off home before I decide to do just one more thing on my to-do list. Roll on Friday evening!

Evening, ladies, no mammoth post from me tonight - too knacked, gah!

Thanks for all the good wishes for my hip; feels much better today and DSs were most impressed with the size of my sticky plaster when I took it off tonight - morbid children!!

Grudging congratulations to all of you starting/soon to start mat leave (3 weeks to go, well only 2 1/2 really, but seems longer, meh). If you are expecting your first, just slob out, rest, read, go to the cinema (that's what I did in my first mat leave, went to AM shows 2-3x/week, on my own, often had whole cinema to myself, it was FAB!), go out with friends, nest, have massage/facial - oh, the list goes on! There is a good chance you will not be doing a lot of these things for the foreseeable future once your bundle of joy has arrived !

Shroomer, re wrong blood group - that is just a tiny bit shocking!!! Yes, you would be crossmatched in RL before any transfusion went up, but still.... Of course you must insist on having it changed on your notes.

Anyway, must go to bed dash, hope you are all well.

Evening ladies, like pacific no mammoth post from me either but it's more to do with brain power....
Gosh we really don't have long now do we?!! Madness.

Hope those finishing up on work are doing ok - i'm on a weird added experience fortnight before i finish so I've technically finished my old job and just dabbling in other stuff to see what they do and if it's at all interesting. (It is!) So that's nice. jashook i think you'll find that you're a great mum and in a couple of months it'll be interesting to see what your take on your "old" life is. either way, as others have said, being a mum definitely gives you perspective, on, well, everything! I wasn't sure about work before i left for my first ML but since being back i've been a calmer (more mature) worker with less politics and issues to bring to the table! And I am now so far removed from being arsed about leaving that I think people will be quite surprised when I do actually walk out the doors next Tuesday for good?!!
pixie i do think you're amazing, love your attitude to everything, including the "I Haven't Got A Clue When It's Going To Happen" scenario - I mean, I know we all have that but I think you are being lovely and relaxed - have had several friends expect twins and they were the same, even when they popped out unexpectedly! I think you and I are due on the same date, I expect lots of good advice from the mother of three week old twins by the time i pop please?!!
Hips are absolutely shattered, am holding them together with a mixture of random supports donated from friends!! Finally got through to MW who's been great but I think my physio referral will happen the week i give birth at the rate the NHs work down here!! ha ha.

Right desperate housewives is starting up again. sorry for the boring post. More anon. I do actually have interesting things to say, just it's time for bed.

Hope all well and I haven't missed something completely obvious to comment about - sorry

er.....what was that about the Non Mammoth Post?!!

Evening all!

I forget who asked about the Wheel of Time books - they're fantasy books(of the dragon/magic variety, not anything else!) so worth a shot if you're int that kind of thing. JasH, Unseen Academicals is in my post labour bag - I got very bored in hospital last time so thought I'd take something with me.

Sorry to hear of all the aches/pains/trials and tribulations - wishing everyone well.

Clearly our babies haven't read the text books as BabyDragon's still engaged despite being a second baby.

Just had a chat with my SIL so I've forgotten what else I was going to say other than WHOOPEE, I'M ON LEAVE! Ha ha, except for the tonne of work I didn't do before I left and will have to do tomorrow. And the interview on Friday. Oh well, at least I don't have to be presentable in the office!

Newslfash from Mumbot - scan yesterday revealed low placenta, so I have a c-section booked for 2 weeks time!!!

Now in major panic mode and feeling v scared about surgery, not so worried about c-section but complications that may arise from placenta previa

Positive side is at least I can arrange childcare and so looking forward to meeting DS2 xxxxxxxxxx

Mumbot - Much excitement! You know when it's going to happen and can fix on that. Was your placenta high up and then moved down?

BlueyDragon Once a baby is engaged can it disengage? Just wondered.

I spent yesterday afternoon reviving an old chest of drawers for the nursery. I painted them white and got 6 new wooden knobs for the drawers. I've painted each knob with an animal (frog, pig, etc)

Good luck - i've lost track. Will that be our first baby (notwithstanding unexpected arrivals!)

My presentations all went well (all 4 of them
It is wonderful to have the weight off my shoulders and now cruising for my final two weeks before mat leave.

Bloody crap nights sleep - I woke at 1 and couldn't back to sleep until 4. I kept feeling constipated and suddenly got paranoid as this the was prelabour sign for both DS1 and DS2. It suddenly made me realise that it really is time to get the baby stuff out the attic. Job for tomorrow!

I second PAcific's advice to first tiem mums - INDULGE IN SOME ME TIME!

How exciting, Mumbot!

Late pregnancy insomnia really is nature's cruel joke, isn't it BPM! I'm suffering badly with it now. Last night I woke at least three times and it took me two hours to go back to sleep after the third waking, which gave me precisely one hour before the alarm went off. Needless to say, I didn't get up as speedily as I should have done and consequently missed a meeting this morning. But I just haven't got the energy any more. My commute is killing me and all I want to do is sleep sleep sleep. I can't believe I decided to work to 37 weeks (still one week away) on the basis that I felt fine at that stage last time round. I obviously didn't factor in the fact that last time I didn't have a toddler or a commute that was anything more taxing than a half hour stroll. [Stupid emoticon]

I have finally got round to sorting out and washing my baby clothes. As luck would have it, my timing coincided with the tumble dryer deciding to give up the ghost - only a few days after its one year warranty expired (of course!). As the weather clock is set permanently to "rain" at the moment, I am now stuck with a houseful of drying laundry laid over every available radiator - not to mention a DH who got back from 3 days' away last night to complain that the house smelt like "damp dog".

Your chest-of-drawers sounds lovely, Shroomer - and am very impressed at the skill it must take to paint animals on the knobs.

Caitni - I hope your day is less frenetic today (and tomorrow). Just think about the blissful lie-in you can have on Monday.

Mumbot - a baby in two weeks time! How exciting!

BPF - glad all the presentations went well!

Sympathy with those who suffer from insomnia, trips to the loo, etc.

Although I've suspended my PhD, my supervisor asked me if I could do a few things. So here I'm preparing a few slides for his presentation next week...
A friend (who had a baby 7 moths ago) gave me her Hypnotherapy CD, which she loved and said it really helped. I started to listen to it yesterday, but a few minutes later I was asleep... very effective I'll give it a go again later.

xxx

Wow - v impressed at some of those enormous posts!

Just saw midwife at 35 wks and all is good which was a relief as I had ocnvinced myself that baby had done a somersault and was now breech. But did find out that it's lying back to back - does anyone have any tips on how to wiggle it round?!

Anyone else getting really breathless? Had to present to a client a day or so ago and ended up having to stop half way through as couldn't catch breath and sounded like a wheezy old man! Looking forward to baby moving further down so it can squash my bladder instead of my lungs. Actually, am I REALLY looking forward to that?!

Two weeks left at work - woohoo, cannot wait to stop having to pretend I give a shit.