DUE SEPTEMBER 2010: SECOND TRIMESTER ALREADY!

[Love2Dance]

Hellooooo? Anyone there? Night ZZZzzz.

Sorry I have been MIA for a while.

I also had a letter re Health in preg grant and when I checked it had already been paid into my bank!

Hope everybody is feeling ok and not suffering too much in the heat, I'm finding it hard to sleep at night despite having all the upstairs windows open and a water cooling spray by the side of the bed.

Bump is growing nicely, and have been getting lots of movement and Braxton Hicks - Ante natal classes are due to start in two weeks time...

Has anybody packed their hospital bag yet? I have written my list, just need to buy a few more toiletries, mat pads etc, may get it packed this week whilst I have still have the energy...I know it's early, but I'm being a bit of a control freak at the moment...

27+4

I have the most god awful cough. Everytime I cough I get shooting pains around my bump and I have to remember to hold it in place. And if I cough a lot I wee. Have been surviving on cough goodies the last few nights but it is still there.

Have started getting cramp in my calves as well so now I can't stretch out in bed.

Isn't pregnancy fun???

Have thought about what I need in my bag but will wait until the last week of term to buy everything. Have a hectic summer holidays as have to remember to buy DC3's birthday presents or she will miss out. she will be 2 a fortnight after baby is due

Morning all

Mind if I moan? The heat and humidity are making me v grumpy and I'm just knackered the whole time at the moment. I'm 27 weeks today, that's still three whole months to go and I'm enormous and constipated too (joy).

I've been slinging the odd thing in my hospital bag for the last few weeks, mini toiletries that sort of thing. Superdrug is v good for these so I have been buying something everytime I'm in there.

MM, it's well worth getting some Fybogel or similar, either on prescription or otherwise; it made a big difference to my constipation and you're right, it's so miserable! Hah, never knew that in pregnancy I'd be so overjoyed just because of having a satisfying bowel movement .

Haven't done anything about a hospital bag yet but might start thinking about it at some point soonish if everyone else is.

28 + 1, yay!

Thanks Comixminx, I'll give that a go. I agree, a good 'clearout' really makes you feel tons better!

Hi all,
Just back from a couple of weeks away... cottage in Norfolk and then visiting family.

Hospital bag - I haven't given it a second thought... I plan a home birth, but you have to pack one just incase... but won't think about it until the summer hols! Can't face the thought of anything happening earlier!

DD has chicken pox again. She had it a couple of years ago when she was 2, so I can't believe we're going through it all again! I just hope I'm immune as read some nasty things on the nhs site about c.pox when preg! So after a weeks holiday pre half term and then half term, it looks like she'll be home a little longer!

So are they still doing the HIP grant? I can't keep up! I haven't applied yet as been away... think next midwife appointment is thursday week, when I'll be nearly 29 weeks. Will I still get it????? Could do with the money to be honest... need to get bunk beds as DS and DD will soon need to share a room!

Is anyone else having trouble painting their toe nails? Just about managed to do mine with much huffing and puffing! But can't see this lasting long! Also having trouble with shaving certain areas as can no longer see it!

Been really lathargic today... just need a good storm to clear the humidity. Been loving the heat but all felt too much today.

27 or 28 I can't remember

I got my HIP grant really quickly stickhasgrownup I applied on 22nd May and when I got back from holiday on Friday I had a letter saying it should be in my bank within 7 days and sure enough there it was. As far as I know there are no immediate plans to get rid of it so you should be fine.

Don't paint my toenails so can't comment but I guess it will be a job for DH or as DD is home why not make use of her

We've had so much rain this evening it will hopefully have cleared the air, although our bedroom was still hot when we went to bed (up now as I can't sleep and didn't fancy just laying there )

stick can you ask your midwife to leave the health in pregnancy grant forms for you to pick up? You can only claim the money for 30 days after you are 25 weeks pregnant; after that you are not entitled to it any more. Thursday week might be too late.

Horrible tummy ache today, I'm feeling tired and rubbish - anyone else?

24+2

Hello ladies

stick we seem freakily alike! I have just come back from a week in a cottage in Norfolk too! So strange - I promise I'm not stalking you! We were staying near Cromer - where were you? We got caught out with the Blackwall tunnel closure on the way back though, and got stuck in a traffic jam north of the Thames for 3.5 hours! Awful.

I feel very relaxed after a week away. we went with the inlaws and they were absolutely brilliant looking after the DDs (especially early in the morning) which meant I could switch off a lot more. The second half of the week was gorgeous weather so lots of lazing about in the sunshine and eating fish and chips. I mut have grown several inches wider and it's not the baby . I also got my HiP money only about a week after I esnt the form - very efficient. I've even sent off to apply for Maternity Allowance so fingers crossed...

It's all feeling very real now isn't it? As for kicks I can feel them everywhere. I also feel the baby swooping around so I think it still has plenty of room to turn. It was breech last time I had a mw appt, but it moves loads. If you feel kicks low down it might be breech, but also it might have a strong punch! Mine feels like a bag of kittens trying to get out sometimes, so I think it must be feet, fists, elbows and knees!

27 + 4

PS definitely pack a hospital bag just in case! I wanted a homebirth with DD1 but ended up in hospital and had to rely on DH to bring me clothes.....never again! Never mind about towels and toiletries and baby stuff, just make sure you have a set of clothes that a) fit, b) match and c) are weather-appropriate! (oh, and something for your feet is helpful too!)

Hi all.

I tried to do my toenails last week and just couldn't do it. DP is away now until i'm 8 months (armed forces) so i guess i'll have to be polishless.

I've had low down kicks as well, makes me jump!!!

HOSPITAL BAG!!!!!! I haven't even bought a single baby item yet, never mind pack a bag. Waiting until i'm 28 weeks and then i'm going shopping!!!!!

26 + 3

Just rang my MW about the HIP grant as I'm not seeing her till Monday & I'll be 28+4. She said there is no cut off date for claiming and they usually give it out at the 28week appointment! Where did you read about the cut off date Bessie I don't want to miss out!!

Well, had a fantastic week in sunny Turkey but I've definately popped! What fitted me a week ago definately doesn't now! Especially my work uniform! The maternity one is hideous. Literally a tent & far far far too big! I think I'll go off sick if they make me wear it. I've only got 8 days left anyway!

Hospital bag I haven't really accepted I'm pregnant let alone thought about the birth! any 2nd, 3rd or 4th time mums, If you were early with your 1st were you're next ones early or is it really random???

bananastew it was on the HiP information leaflet at the hospital, it said you are eligible from 25 weeks and you have 30 days to claim. I will have a quick look to see if I can find it online.

oh, it's ok, you just have to apply within 31 days of the midwife signing the form. So you have plenty of time. Sorry.

Hi all, wow, I'm really late joining this thread! Due on 25 Sept so Bessie123 I'm 24+2, same as you.

I also don't feel great today - but I went back to bed this morning for an hour and a half, got up, took a vitamin, downed two pints of water and went for a walk - and feel quite a bit better now. Thankfully not at work today or tomorrow.

The baby (boy) never stops moving - I must get 200+ kicks, punches and feelings that he's generally shunting about - all day every day!

"Haven't really accepted I'm pregnant, let alone thought about the birth". That sounds familiar! I have done NOTHING - but one of my lovely mates has taken pity on me and sent me a massive long email with all the stuff I need to buy/do so I have some great support.

Hope the humidity goes down soon and we can all get some proper rest!

Hey everyone, 28 weeks today!

Getting really hard kicks now, the kind that make you gasp out loud in meetings

Haven't even thought about a hospital bag, thought I'd do it at 8 months.... should I remove head from sand?

28

there's loads of time for a hospital bag and if you're still going to the portland, they will have most of what you need there already. I didn't need most of what was in my bag when I had dd there.

Yup I'm having mine at the Portland, I believe they supply nappies, cotton wool etc for the babies and toiletries for you.

Must decided which of my old t shirts I want to ruin labour in.

They also have funny little vest things for the baby to wear while you're in the hospital and I think I wore a hospital gown for labour (can't remember completely, it's all a bit fuzzy now). You really just need stuff for going home in, slippers and dressing gown (I found it a bit uncomforable when visitors showed up and I was in a maternity nightie) and some make up if you want to look ok in the photos (I found I couldn't be bothered at the time - big mistake). The hospital provides everything else.

Oh, and it's really, really hot in there.

Bessie are you going to a hospital or a hotel?
None of our hospitals provide anything apart from a cot, bedding and formula if you want it. The only exception is on SCBU but you get nothing for you.
I took in a largish changing bag for labour and a suitcase with the rest of the stuff.

Am absoulutely shattered and could really do with an afternoon nap. At least I am not waking every couple of hours for a pee.

DC3 has got really clingy as well this past week and if I am in the same room as her she wants to snuggle up. As fopr putting her to bed, I end up laid with her on our bed and everytime I move she wakes and drags me back down.
Dp is going to have so much fun with her when I go into hospital

27+1

Debs going to the portland, it's a mix of the 2. You can press a buzzer for someone to come and change the baby's nappy

I wish I was going to the Portland! sounds like heaven! I took lots for the labour last time thinking I'd get bored, hungry etc! ha! what a joke! didn't even have time to think let alone play on the nintendo! I'll probably pack my bag in labour! I'm organised like that!

So what are peoples thoughts on feeding? Dare I mention that? I had a failed attempt at bf last time. would love to succeed this time.

bananastew I'm going in positive....gonna breastfeed both my babies at the same time and it's going to work like magic. Also it's not gonna hurt like last time cos i've decided. (Head in la la la land)

sassy I like your attitude. If you can manage 2 at once I can easily do 1. Of course it'll work like magic! What else could possibly happen?!

Swordfish - OMG - we stayed very near Cromer (the cottage used to be part of the felbrigg estate- if that helps!)- Had hellish journey too as after holiday we visted my sister in the north and there are no motorways to get there from norfolk! Something I hadn't concidered living in the SE!

Had mild panic about the HIP Grant... but reading on saw that its not the case!

My recommendation for those out there buying baby bits is to buy some baby bundlers from gap or similar. They are a bit like a cross between a baby grow and nightie with an elasticated bottom... so handy when baby poos in the night... I could never see straight to do up all those poppers!

Cinnimon - Having said I was having the whole 9 months off I'm now taking 2 weeks!!! Don't want to lose one of my school run families to figure I can cope with a couple of hours after school.

27+4

bananastew Ha. Very unvague memories of doing my labour breathing while DD sucked away cos the pain was immense. (10 years ago)Told myself that the pain was that bad, that it can't physically be possible to experience that pain twicefold. Self delusion is a powerful thing!

Speaking of breast feeding - i want a breast feeding pillow, but balk at paying £60 ish for one (e2z). Has anyone used one? bought one cheaper? better? and how was it?