Spring is sprung, the grass is ris, I wonder where my toenails is - Due June 2010

[greensnail]

Ok, here it is ladies. Nice new thread for us all to enjoy

LaTrucha I take my maternity notes with me if I'm staying somewhere overnight, otherwise no, they stay at home. DH has been on at me that I should take them to work with me, as last pregnancy we had a couple of occasions when the doctor called me at work to say I needed to come in immediately as my bloods were so worrying. But as I work nights now I think the chance of that happening again are pretty minimal!

On the subject of repaying maternity pay, I think often there's a way around it if you have a fairly sympathetic HR department. I know a couple of people who've reduced their hours working hours after maternity leave so that the amount of weeks they have to work to keep their pay is equal to the amount of annual leave they've accumulated while on maternity leave, so they haven't actually had to return. I get to keep mine so long as I start work with another NHS trust within 15 months of going on maternity leave.

whenwillisleepagain little ones' heart rates are much faster than ours anyway, and will often go up a bit if they're poorly. Doesn't sound like there's too much to worry about if he's happily eating and watching TV but great that you have an appointment tomorrow anyway so you can get him checked out.

mampam I bet you were relieved you escaped the sphincter scan! As others have said, I know several people who have had elective caesarians and they have all been positive experiences for them, so hope yours will be too!
I was lucky last time that the medication did help my itching a lot, although it was much worse by the time i started it last time and think it probably reduced it down to the sort of level I'm at now, so will be interesting to see what happens this time around.
I discovered some patches of blood on my bedsheets this morning which had me panicking initially, but then I realised it was just where I'd been scratching in my sleep.

LittleRobbo Your DH is just plain mean. Surely he could have stopped somewhere on the way home to get you the scones and clotted cream???

greensnail The itching must be a nightmare, I hope the medication works or at least stops it from getting any worse for you.
Yes I was very relieved not to have had the scan. I know that once you've had kids your dignity goes out the window but the thought of having someone scanning my bumhole is just too much .

I can only claim SMP so I don't have to worry about paying back any money

Has anyone had any trouble with their water works? I woke up twice last night absolutely desperate for a wee, the first time I nearly didn't make it to the loo!

LittleRobbo ya well thats what I thought because all those websites with weekly updates talk about going to dentist for bleeding gums and free treatment all the time.

About scones and clotted cream why don't you just order some online on tesco although I love the ones from Marks and Spencer but don't think they do home delivery.

hi barbeasty worth checking with your dentist as mine did the check up and then said "might as well get a visit in to the hygienist while it's on the Nasho!" It is an NHS practice tho so maybe private practices are different?

Elena- mine is NHS, and in fairness I hadn't even been given the form to get the free care at that point (so I paid for the check up too). I will find out when I go back in a couple on months. However, I have to be honest and say that it isn't a huge worry, as I can claim it back from DH's health care from work anyway.

Have just had a massively frustrating conversation with a conference supplier so I'm using this thread as a security blanket...it's so - sane - in here.

LaTrucha, no I didn't realise about your notes being with you. Mine are living in a plastic bag at home and weigh rather more than the baby does, what with appointment cards, copies of random letters to the doctor, photographs and miscellaneous shit like Emma's diary. Really don't fancy adding them to my already overloaded pelvis.

I'm going on holiday tomorrow (w00t) so I suppose I'll have to take them with me. Groan - there goes my Ryanair luggage allowance.

Barbeasty I've had treatment at my dentist but no hygeinist (not NHS). Downside of course is that he wouldn't use any anaesthetic because of the pregnancy so I had to weigh up the pros of a cheapy filling against the cons of doing it 'au naturelle'. Funny how people are enthusiastic about 'natural labour' but not about 'natural dentistry' isn't it?

Good morning!

I've tried to do a bit of painting this morning! Thought it would be ok if I did a bit of cutting in from waist height and above........it gave me back ache. I've done a bit down the stairs too by sitting on the steps but my bum/pubic bone are hurting so I've had to give up for now

Had a bit of an accident (or two) last night. I'd already hurt myself trying to get the laptop from behind the sofa, got my leg stuck and the only way to free myself hurt my pubic bone. So I was upstairs and tripped over the carpet where DH has pulled it up to paint the skirtings. I didn't fall over but to stop myself I had to put my leg further forward than I normally do and it felt like my pubic bone pulled apart and snapped back (IYSWIM?). To add insult to injury I then tripped over it a second time......what a twit! DH was in the doghouse last night.

Ooooohh, ouch. Need a wince emoticon for pubic bones snapping together!

mampam I sympathise I tripped over in heels last night, the first time I have been on a night out whilst preggers, big bruise on my knee and pride, thought I looked so glam

Lol @ being Gizmos sane, safe security blanket...things must be pretty rough out there in the RW and must admit I snorted tea at Mampams description of 'bumhole scanning'. And 'ouch' at pubic bones snapping

Great long post Mampam Glad to hear the hospital visit went well and that you actually got seen by all the people you expected to see afer your last few experiences. By the way, I've been thinking about scones all week thanks to you...and then just when I thought I was over it you bring them up all over again .

If we didn't have 14 for lunch tomorrow I would be baking scones this afternoon...however I shall be making a pavlova (with huge amounts of fresh cream and berries) and an eve's pudding with custard and ice cream, so I probably won't be short of calories Oh, and there's salmon en croute for main, so lots of pastry there, too.....no wonder my weight goes up every weekend...

Happy birthday Chestnut, really glad you enjoyed the theatre

Madamefreckle - ouch! and sympathy. Follow Gizmo and Mampam's advice - they're definitely right about sitting down and keeping your legs together (esp things like getting in/out of cars)...and def see if you can get a physio referral. Are things a bit better with your dh at the moment?

LaT - do you mean take your notes with you everywhere??? Or just to appointments? I'm just about managing to take them to appts with me - tbh, if anything really urgent happens at any other time, I hardly think my mat notes ("bog standard 3rd pg, put patient in corner and ignore until birth") are going to make much difference anyway....

With mat pay, even when there's more than SMP, some of it depends on the company's mat policy. My last company had a policy that explicitly stated that they didn't expect you to repay anything, even if you didn't return. My current employer's policy is less friendly, sadly...on the whole you only have to go back for 3 months in order to get past the 'payback' period, iirc.

Oops...meant to say: thanks again for all the sympathy. My back is finally unlocking, slowly, and I can now move fairly normally again although nowhere near as well as before last week's unfortunate incident. But I should be ok to travel to Manchester on Monday which is a relief, as (apart from my meeting) I really want to go and visit my grandma who has terminal cancer and only a few weeks left....I last saw her in mid-December with the dcs and whilst she def can't cope with seeing the dcs anymore, she tells me she'll be fine for a couple of hours quiet time with me. I'm really looking forward to seeing her (and my grandad) but also quite nervous as I know I'll be really upset afterwards, iyswim.

Anyway, nothing else to report...I'm supposed to be wfh today but absolutely knackered after a stupidly intensive day in the office yesterday so have utterly failed to do anything useful so far today. Never mind, I'll work on the train on Monday/Tues instead Lots of guests this weekend, but only for meals (no-one staying) and no major plans for Sunday...thinking about putting DD into knickers tomorrow or Sunday but although she's been doing really well with her pull-ups she still doesn't tell us when she needs the potty so its quite hit and miss. I think ds responded better in pants than pullups but can no longer remember...anyone got any suggestions?

Btw, I've been warning dh that (subject to jobs/money/space/other factors) I may suddenly decide that I want to do this all over again in about 2 years time. He took it well, bless (By 'well' I mean he went v pale but didn't argue and just wobbled slightly...). He did point out that I mostly hate being pregnant...

Hi ALL

mampam i feel your pain, i slipped the other day on the remote, (which i can no longer bend down to get off the floor) i slipped on my good leg so all my weight went onto my sorest left leg and i could feel my poor pelvis seperating.

i was hobbling most of this week with the pain in my inner thigh and pelvis

im wondering too will i need to take my notes with me on our small trip we have planned over easter.

Had my 24 week check up with consultant yesterday and it honestly felt like on was on a conveyor, left feeling quite annoyed that i was shipped off and out the door.
Needed to have blood test to check iron levels(hate needles and then book an anomaly scan for monday. I barely had 5 minutes with consultant.

sorry for the moan, but even DH couldnt get 2 words out of me only mutterings and a odd curse on our tour of hospital departments

Filly - thinking of putting DD into knickers on a weekend when you have lots of guests, are pg and gave a bad back. You are either a walking miracle, or insane. Either way, I feel lazy in comparison. It's a toss up as to whether I do the ironing or not this nap time! I may just sit here.

When I was pg with DD I had a MW who told me to take my notes everywhere with me. I'm glad forgetting is not a heinous crime. I may continue to do so. I do tend to take them if I am going away from town in a car though, which doesn't often happen.

MrsDmamee - sorry you feel you're being rushed. Consultant led care (I presume you're havin this) can often mean not much.

Gizmo - enjoy your holiday

Barbeasty - I'm with an NHS dentist and have never had to pay while pg. Having said that, they never refer me to have my teeth cleaned while I'm pg either.

Mampam - Sorry to hear about falls. I hate the feeling that I'm fragile. I carried two light bags of shopping home the other day and was really in pain in my back and pubic area all day after. It's a load of rubbish feeling.

I've just bought a gorgeous (and totally unecessary, given the amount of clothes I've been offered) bundle of clothes from Pumpkin Patch for new baby. I think they've got a pretty amazing sale on and there is still a reasonable amount of little baby stock left. They have a section where you buy one get 50% off the next sale thing. If you're feeling nesty, check it out!

Oh. But be sure you really want what you order as they charge a £4.95 habdling fee on returns plus £1.50 postage. Only the postage is really flagged up on the website (not that I hunted much).

MrsD Ouch, ouch, ouch. Your description of tripping over the remote control has just made me cringe.

filly sorry to keep bringing up the scones You may have guessed by now that food is one of my greatest pleasures in life (especially when PG and stuck at home all the time)
You've got me thinking about Pavlova now. May have to send DH into town to fetch the ingredients. What fruit do you put on yours? I'm thinking raspberries right now.

BTW, are you completely mad having 14 people over for dinner????? Especially with your back an' all .

Mampam is wagging the same finger at Millymollymoo too for going out in those high heels At least you're ok and didn't do too much damage although maybe your pride took a bit of a bashing!!
I'm just jealous because I can no longer wear heels. Used to live in them and had to go and buy some flat boots as I didn't own a single pair of flat shoes

gizmo enjoy your holiday.
I would rather give birth au naturelle than have no pain relief at the dentist

LaT I hate being fragile too. I feel so helpless. I've had to give up on the painting now as my pubic bone is throbbing. I'm off to find an ice pack or a water bottle to shove between my legs and then I'm gonna look at the Pumpkin Patch website

yep LT consultant led care, well staff of consultant really but its still a right PITA!!

mampam at least the pain has subsided now.
hope yours has eased somewhat.

i think the most annoying thing though after i hurt myself(following day at Gps house) is i feel i have to carry on as normal around people like my MIL who is lovely but hardly remembers any pg aches she had (if she had any) and SIL who just had a baby but was spared the pain of SPD.

but my lovely DH fusses over me which is nice that someone understands im in pain.

And yes filly you should be taking it easy.

Have a great holiday Gizmo - completely missed that...where are you off to?

@ all the finger-wagging - it's not really 14 for lunch as there's only 6 adults and the other 8 are children aged 2-10. But LaT, you may be right about it not being the correct day to start DD in knickers; maybe I'll leave that until sunday morning

Pavlova is dead simple - its just egg whites, castor sugar and a smidgeon of cornflour and white wine vinegar for the meringe. Then I whip double cream to 'super thick' level with just enough icing sugar to sweeten it a bit (not too much, as the meringue is fairly sweet), then stack as many blueberries and rasberries on top of the cream as I can possbily manage, then serve. Simple

Going to make the meringue nest this afternoon and beat the cream in the morning, so it should only take 5 mins to assemble at lunchtime. Will also make the eves pudding tonight (ooh, had better get the butter out now) as it reheats really well. Also making spelt salad with feta and cranberries, broccoli and pecan salad, salmon en croute (rick stein recipe with ginger and currants in...yum!), tuna fish balls and small jacket potatoes so the dcs have an extra option. Shouldn't take more than 2 hours to pull it all together, so not too bad on the back if I'm careful

Right, time to stop talking about food (one of my favourite activities Mampam!) and finish work so I can start making it

Hope you all have luvverly weekends

Ouch mampam that sounds sore!

fillybuster If I wasn't going on holiday tomorrow I'd definitely be inviting myself to yours. I love, love, love salmon en croute and eves pudding, yum, yum, yum!
I've also been telling DH recently that I'd like to do it all again in a couple of years. In between freaking out that I'm going to have another baby in probably 10 weeks!

Am absolutely knackered after very busy night shift last night, but had to get out of bed this afternoon to pack and to go and collect mine and DH's prescriptions. Think we're just about ready now, just waiting for DD to be delivered back by my parents. Very much looking forward to a week in sunny Devon, but slightly anxious about being offline for a week. Don't forget me will you?

Off to check out pumpkin patch now, thanks LaTrucha

thanks for the birthday wishes everyone.

filly can I come around (or can you send me leftovers)!? your dinner sounds amazing! You put me to shame. Perhaps I need to do some cooking this weekend.

I am ashamed to say I induged in a completely unhealthy KFC for lunch. Something I NEVER eat but was mystically drawn in there. I can't even imagine how bad it is for me (not to mention the salt i put on the chips!)but gosh, it was absolutely lush!!!

Gizmo have a fab holiday!

Filly do not be surprised to see umpteen drooling heavily preggers mumsnetters outside your kitchen window this weekend

Happy hols gizmo you lucky thing

I've been to work today and am now knackered beyond belief,so no cooking from me tonight,its chippy fridaychips,fish,and mushy peas,bread & butter and a mug of tea,aaah comforting

I am now imagining that every night is like that chez Filly.

LittleRobbo - I love meals where a mug of tea is an accompaniment. Usually meals eaten by myself though, which are few and far between.

Filly your drool-making description of pavlova makes me think you might enjoy this site as much as I do....foody porn (and an excellent recipe for cheese scones, Mampam, if you get bored of the creamy variety!)

Yes, it's true that work has been insane this week, but even so, this morning's conversation is now at the top of 'How the Fuck Did That Happen?' Charts. I open the conversation with: 'I thought we'd better talk about conference x - I'm afraid we won't be sponsoring this again this year.' Which I thought was a pretty definitive comment. So how did I find myself committing to a meeting to discuss improvements to this conference 20 minutes later? . It was remarkably annoying, mostly because of the passive aggressive guilt trippy way in which I got manipulated...grrrrr, it will do them no good in the long run.

Rather of you scoring all the nice baby clothes, LaT. I've only recently discovered Pumpkin Patch (the name has put me off before, tbh) but it is pretty stuff and seems quite well made? I'm not sure whether to hang on with buying clothes - I was half promised quite a lot of stuff from a friend a few weeks back but it's on lend out to someone else, she's hopelessly busy and also I think I was a bit rude to her the last time we saw each other so I might need to make alternative arrangements .

Thanks for all the good wishes re holidays - feel like we need them! We're just going to spend a week skiing in the Trois Vallees (Saint Martin) and while I doubt I'll be doing much skiing, I'm arranging ski school/father-son bonding to allow me plenty of time sitting in cafes with a hot chocolate and a trashy novel. On My Own. It will be marvellous

Oh filly - YUM!

Loving the link gizmo and have a fantastic hols, and v .

greensnaeil enjoy your week in Devon! Oh all those yummy scones! Why can't we move on from the scones??!

mampam hope you're not in too much pain, sounds horrid.

On my own tonight so might toodle off to bed in a minute - joy

Happy birthday chestnut! You share it with my ds, so we've been having another week of celebrations too- just back from a couple of days in Chester, including a v sunny trip to the zoo yesterday. Ds is delighted with himself for being 4 and suddenly seems a lot more independent, which is both very timely before the new one arrives and makes me a bit sad.

filly- am in awe of your menu, especially after the crap week you've had. Glad the back's on the mend and hope the party goes well.

Have a great holiday gizmo littlerobbo - mmmmn fish and chips... Followed by pavlova and scones...