Due September thread 10 - On the downhill slope...

[Kiwifruit]

Here's the new thread ladies - may it be as chatty as the last 9!!

RH - I got the homeopathy kit from here . It's the 18 remedy childbirth kit

Just had a nap but feel like a zombie!

Mummyhill - my dose is 50 to start. Don't know how it will be monitored yet. The obs doc prescribed it & I'll have to see my gp to find out how it will be monitored. I have another blood test at the hopsital in 4 weeks but don't know if the level will be checked before. Wonder how long it takes the system to react to the thyroxine?
Happy to hear that you might not need a cs. I had a cs for my 2nd as she was a footling breech. It's nice that you dd got a pressie as well. Have got one pressie already for the new baby to give dd2 - her favourite board game from school. Have to organise for the others as well!

Just read your thread (due 8/9 elective planned 38wks.) and am interested to read a few of you have thyroid probs. I just wondered how this affects your pregnancy and/or the baby... and would the baby be harmed if it went untreated???

I ask because I had a 'goiter' (if thats the right word) at about 8wks and the hospital said it was caused by a viral infection. They gave me ibuprofen for a wk or two and it went away. Prior to having the goiter checked out I'd had typical symptoms for an underactive thyroid followed by symtoms for an overactive one and I'd put this down to pregnancy symptoms.

As I said the lump went in about 10 days and other than ibuprofen I havent taken any medication or had any follow up checks.

Welcome Raggydoll - am shocked that they gave you ibuprofen in pregnancy as it is not usually a good idea. Untreated underactive thyroid can cause miscarriage up to the end of the secondtrimester (as was my problem last year). As long as it is monitored though and treatment is given there are no problems.

Milward - I noticed a difference within 3 weeks, they will probably not take any more blood till your appointment at the hospital as they like to give the thyroxine a chance to get into your system properly first. Did they tell you what your tsh and t4 levels were or are they leaving you in the dark? I am ok at the moment as tsh and t4 levels are all smack bang in the middle of the range for the first time in 6 years.

Hi all, I'm shattered too, been up since 6am, was going to log on but didnt bother, wish I had now. I feel like someone has kicked me very hard in the ribs, but only on the right hand side? Is making me feel even more uncomfortable. It's also just sinking in that, if not late, I will be a mummy in 8 weeks! Scary but exciting stuff.

Well, the midwife came, took blood which saves a trip to the hospital this week, baby well alebit with hiccups and aversion to sonicaid. Am now convinced it's a boy. Heart rate significantly lower than wih dd though I know it's an old wives tale really! (Saying that sure old wives were pretty knowledgeable).
Redhelen - she didn't have a cup of tea . She was in a bit of a rush though (reassures self).
Will have the proper booking in on Sunday week.
I'm really intrigued by the idea of homeopathy too.

hi all
dd 2nd birthday this weekend had party today and am completely exhausted as is dd ans dh, fun had by all!! 34 weeks today and only got one more week of work yipee!!!!

Hi all, I'm back!

Goodness me, you lot have been talking for Britain (and NZ and wherever else!). Can't possibly catch up on all that's been said in the last week, although I'll try to have a skim.

USA was fabulous! Survived both flights (although I'm now feeling seriously jetlagged as I didn't actually sleep on the overnight one last night), the flight socks did their magic, DD behaved beautifully, the wedding was fantastic ... I ended up wearing a long red non-maternity summer dress that I found still fitted me and was surprisingly flattering - dressed it up with some glitzy new accessories and hey presto. All the girls from the wedding party had our hair and makeup done on the day so actually felt quite presentable, which was just as well as I had to do a reading as well as walk down the aisle behind DD to make sure she headed in the right direction

Really glad we took the risk and did this, as it'll be a while before we can do anything like it again. DD adored her first experience of the beach, adapted instantly to the new time zone and fitted in happily to a rather erratic meal- and bedtime schedule, so none of our fears were realised. Only horrible bit was going through security on the way home: they took our trolley from us as soon as we joined the HUGE, very HOT queue so I had to carry 2 heavy rucksacks for what seemed like forever, then when we got to the front, as well as taking our shoes off, they made me fold up the stroller and expected DD (18m) to walk through the metal detector on her own, without touching the sides! When she was finally through, DH had been whisked away for frisking and was nowhere to be seen, so I was left stroller-less, and had to abandon all our passports, wallets and valuables to chase DD round the security area. This went on for ages before DH reappeared, during which time I was completely ignored and offered no help whatsoever. By the time we recaptured DD and got her back in the stroller I was in tears

So - not 100% plain sailing but, in the event, much easier than I expected, I felt healthy and got plenty of rest due to DD's marvellous napping (we borrowed free DVDs from the hotel reception while she slept), and the whole thing was definitely well worth the effort. Hoorah!

Looking forward to catching up with you all. Hope you're all well - I must also check the meetup thread re. 6 Aug and make sure this is still OK with DH. Will do so now

Mummyhill - sorry to hear about your miscarriage - must have been a difficult time. I had a miscarriage in '99 & it was just awful.

The doc didn't tell me my results just that it was low. I was there with my 3 kids & sort of had to keep an eye on them & on what she was saying. I'll ask at my next check-up on 17/08. I asked why I had this now & she said that the baby was taking my thyroid & I wasn't making enough to compensate. Does this sound right?

Raggydoll - I don't know enough on thyorid probs to give an answer here. Hope you're ok.

For a bf bra best to get some when you're 36 wks or more. Follow the manufacturers size guidelines as they can differ. If you can slide 4 fingers into the cup comfortably then you'll be able to fit in a breastpad no probs. When bmilk comes in from day 3 to 5 (just depends) then can have some engorgement when breasts will be much bigger. Wont last long - just until supply & demand have been established between you & baby. Could get some larger cup bras in case you need them (keep recipts to take them back if you don't need them & shop allows) - or just wear a big t-shirt knotted under breasts to support them.

welcome back franch - happy to hear you had a good time. Your dress sounds lovely. What a trauma in the airport though.

Hi franch - glad the wedding went ok but sorry to hear you had such a bad experience at the airport on the way back.

Milward - I usually ask them to write my results down for me so that i can see for myself when i get home. I find that i know within myself if my levels are out as i put weight on for no reason, get really depressed and slugish and find that my concentration goes out of the window, I also get really dry itchy skin and my hair gets really brittle. I tend to go down and request a blood test wether i am due one or not. It is quite possible that your levels will return to normal after having the baby but get them to monitor it for at least 6 months afterwards if you can just in case.

Raggydoll - try thyroid.co.uk I have emailed them in the past with queries and they have got back to me with advice pretty quickly. If you have any doubts or worries about the state of your thyroid gland it is worth having a chat to the GP and asking them if they will do the blood tests for you just to set your mind at rest.

Query - Can't remember from last time when is it usual for babies head to start engaging, how long does it take for it to be 5/5 eng and how long can i expect to wander round like that before i pop? Only asking as this one is 3/5 at the moment and I am due to get a deffinative answer on my query about the risks of a normal delivery on my prolapsed discs at 38 weeks when i was quite sure that if you are going for an elective section you have to go for it at 38 weeks is this right? Am currently 33+5/40 not that i am on a count down or anything. Really should not of lent my books out to a first timer at work as she has not brought them back yet and i am sure i could of looked this information up in them.

I'm not sure about head engagement. I think after the first time the head can sort of engage and then disengage all the time up to birth itself. Baby 4/5 in pelvis earlier today (34+1). Bottom under my right ribs, with spine towards the front/right side.
Glad your trip was so successful Franch, but sorry you had such a nightmare at the airport. The times we live in....
Now we've finally managed to get the gas meter moved the building work in the cellar can continue apace, as well as the plastering and decorating in Lucy's new room. Ordered gorgeous furniture including a big bed for when she's ready to make the transition today - eta 3 -6 weeks (probably with the stork!).We're going to have a belated 2nd birthday party for her when the work has all finished as the house is frankly a death trap at the moment. I mean, I can look after dd and make sure she doesn't run into the road or fall down the cellar, but wouldn't feel comfortable with numerous little friends.
Of my post-natal group 8/10 of the babies were girls. This time, one friend already has had a boy and 2 more are expecting boys. So if there's a pattern......! Have to admit that would rather like another girl, if only because dd has such lovely clothes and am rather worried about boys bits and nappy changes (stupid, I know). Also have lovely name lined up for a girl, less keen on most boys names. BUT think it might be nicer for dd to have a brother (she's convinced it's a boy anyway) as perhaps less competition.
Had lovely afternoon nap. Just hope manage to sleep better tonight. Fingers crossed.

aaaarggggggghhhhhhh, o'm wide awake again and have been for the last hour or so.
franch, glad you had a nice holiday, i wish i was going on one.
pooka, i feel the same as you, i already have a dd but would really love to have another, we're all convinced it is a girl, have bought allpink and not even got a boys name. yikes, hope i'm right or my dbs would be wearing pink for roughly 6 months LOL
Does anyone else keep changing their minds about names? i had a lovely name since about 17 weeks but now i've got the urge to call her sienna????? lovely name but dp and dd have said no way. don't know why, what does everyone else think? god you can tell i'm bored as i never ask for anyones opinion on the possible names i pick for my children. need a boys name though (just in case) have only come up with declan and liam but those two have already put their feet down on these. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!

Hmmm. I actually quite like the name Sienna, but wouldn't use it myself because of Sienna (Miller???)/Jude Law. Too topical iyswim.
For me, I like Helena. Was my great grandmother's name. For boys it's much more dfficult. I like Tom (not thomas). With Alexander possibly as a middle name, as that's also a family name. It's really such a personal choice though although we wouldn't choose a name that dh didn't like.
Have realised that haven't had more than about 3 hours unbroken sleep for ages. Wouldn't mind if it was just a case of getting up and peeing/getting more comfortable and then going sraight back to sleep, but once I wake up I seem to spend ages harumphing and tossing and turning before exhaustion takes command. Still - good practice for when babe arrives.

i know what you mean pooka, i don't think i've slept past 5 in the last 2 weeks. my toilet is downstairs so i really never can be bothered walking back up them LOL. need to put a bucket in the bedroom like my nanna used to have hahahahaha
like alexander by the way and tom but not thomas as it's far too popular now although it is a lovely name

Franch - Glad you had a nice holiday. The airport trauma sounds horrendous tho! Sometimes they really don't think about how inconvenient they make things do they?!

I actually feel a bit more human today, as I managed to have about ten hours sleep (well, I still got up and down to the loo all night, but managed to get back to sleep ok). I think it was just sheer exhaustion from feeling so run-down yesterday. Unfortunately that means now I have no excuse not to do the housework today!!

I did probably get the airport thing out of perspective (hormones and all) - I know how necessary all the security checks etc are, but I did find that at the UK end the staff were 100% more relaxed and helpful - they let me walk round the metal detector, pushing DD in her stroller, and just gave us both a quick search once we were through. They were lovely to DD, and very nice and understanding about my 'condition'. They also made sure we got another trolley once we were through security, whereas the US staff really couldn't have cared less.

Interestingly, the US didn't ask to see my doctor's note whereas the UK did. On the way out the cabin crew actually seemed quite excited to see my bump and kept asking if I was going to give birth on the flight - they said they'd had quite a few births recently and seemed disappointed when I didn't add to their tally! (Thank god.)

franch - glad you had a good time in America.

I sometimes worry I might never sleep properly again! My bump ached alot last night and threw myself around trying to get comfortable - dh also had a job interview today so he was just as bad!! pooka - hoping you sleep loads tonight - and mw didn't have a drink earlier either!!

Hello hello.

Still sleeping really quite well (and still sounding dead smug - sorry) but it's more than compensated for by the renewed levels of exhaustion. I'm wondering if it's as bad as the first trimester, but my memory seems to have faded already. I'm wandering around like a stunned bunny. I can't imagine what it's like to already have a child and feel like this - the dog is exhausting enough (and he's currently cheerfully asleep).

My gut feeling is that the peanut is a girl, too. I don't really have a preference either way - a boy would only be easier from the point of view that we have readily agreed on a boy's name, whilst girls are proving more problematic. Also - I really don't like pink. There's been exclusively boys in my husband's family for three generations now - so thinking it's a girl may not be logical...

Franch: glad you had a good holiday. How's your sister in law doing?

I'm with you on the anti-pink thing RZ. In fact, almost all of dd's early clothes are neutral or even blue! Only caved when, aged 18 months ish, people were still saying "what a lovely boy" because they couldn't see past the fact that she was (and still is) quite follically challenged. Saying that, even in head to toe pink/skirts and dresses, people still asked what "he" was called!
The whole stereotyping of boys/girls really does drive me crazy. MIL is particularly bad, as having had 4 boys herself has very set ideas of what a little girl should like - namely dolls (dd was given a quite revolting tiny tears that drinks from a bottle and burps for her birthday) and kitchens adn dolls houses. Boys like, and are given, rocking horses and cars and trains. dd would love a proper rocking horse (so would I) and loves Thomas the Tank Engine, but MIL completely ignores this and everything she's ever given is frilly, pink and fits into the little housemaker mold. Shouldn't complain really, apart from the fact it seems so unimaginative and narrow.

Pooka - I have the same problem with DD - not entirely over-enamoured with pink but even when I do dress her head to foot in frills and pink ruffles I still get asked "What's his name?" Not that I dress her in boyish clothes - just practical ones, especially when she's going to nursery, for example. Have the opposite problem with MIL who raised (loosley speaking) two boys. She makes comments about how I do love to dress DD up in girly things all the time and has never once even bought her first grandchild any clothes.
RZ - glad to see you've survived your bashing on the pain relief in labour discussion!

I know I shouldn't complain about MIL buying Lucy things - should be grateful. It's just one thing I have a real bee in my bonnet about!

Have to agree with the whole anti-pink thing also - though I wonder if it is my approach to this that has made dd grow up to be a complete tomboy (always make the fatal mistake of taking her shopping with me, and usually find her in the boys' section, picking out combat clothes for herself !) I have certainly found that all the toys aimed at younger girls seem to be really passive. I am a firm believer in letting children make up their own minds on this sort of thing from an early age.
Last week at work this week...can't wait to finish, as I really feel in need of a nap just after lunchtime, but think people might notice if I curl up underneath my desk !

My dds wore somethings in pink & some in other colours/patterns. What amazed me was when dds were dressed in pink people would often ask is if she was a boy or girl!! WIll be using some of their baby clothes on ds - will test this out again!
dds love being dressed in pink now - don't mind at all.

Mummyhill - thanks for your help. Good idea to have the doc write down the results - I go to my appointments with my 3 kids & have to monitor them & concentrate on the doc at the same time. At least that way I could check-up afterwards. I've not had any symptoms like you describe apart from tiredness - but I don't know how much is preg, looking after other kids & how much is thyroid. Hopfully will see in 3 wks or so.