**August 2010** Part 6!! Starting to show with gusto now ladies.

[CherryPie3]

Thread 6.

You lot talk too much.....

Happy chatting

CazEM ditto I regularly drive a 200 mile round trip so it's not the mileage that bothers me, it's other people's reactions that I'm mad to travel that distance then sit in a marquee for 6 hours whilst 37 weeks preggo. I have no idea what it feels like to be 37 weeks preggo so that was more the question.

Decided to see how I feel the week before and take it from there.

Thanks for the tip Neez - having some probs in that dept too!

Vix I had some really dodgy pains last week myself. No bleeding though and lots of movement from baby. They eventually went. And the baby is super active, so I assume it was just one of those things. As others have said though, call your midwife if you're at all worried. Hope Cherry is ok. Will check out thread.

Caz fingers crossed for your DH. Hope all is okay.

Thanks neenz, just added All-bran to our grocery order, I eat loads of veg and drink quite a bit but for some reason this time round it's not doing anything. I think I might have piles now too Argh!

Right, I'm really off to bed now

Hi girls

Glad to hear you've taken yourself off to bed vix - best place to be

As for all this travel talk, I know last when I got to 36 weeks with ds I was done. Couldn't even drive properly as it was just too uncomfortable squeezing into our little car. But, everyone is different, so my advice would be, just see how you feel. People will understand if you have to call off last minute.

I'm really fed-up tonight. Major case of the pregnancy blues I think. Work was just horrid today - lots of short tempers and a severe lack of manners from some people. Also exhausted after the weekend. Trekking round the streets of Brighton cheering on (my wonderful) dh on top of a 5am start was just too much excitement for one day.

Off to bed I think. A good night's sleep (hollow laugh) should do me the power of good.

cherry hope you're ok honey.

Re the travelling, I agree that it's really hard to know how you'll feel until nearer the time (not very helpful if you need to make arrangements, obviously). I had a holiday in North Yorks (from Kent) at about 35/6 weeks last time, and it was no problem at all - but then I never felt uncomfortable in the car, unlike some others. Sitting on my arse in the car for a few hours was much like sitting on my arse at home on the sofa instead . Also, as someone else said, you might find you regret not travelling if you end up being late (take it from someone who was 2 weeks late and spent the last 6 weeks of that time climbing the walls with boredom). So, my feeling would be, if it's something you'd like to go to, then go for it (as long as you can cancel nearer the time if necessary). But obviously if it's something you don't really want to go to, then late pregnancy is the perfect excuse to skip it .

Re freezing food, it's a great idea, and was a lifesaver last time. One thing I'd add to the list is quiches. I made loads of them in those disposable foil dishes, and they were lovely - particularly given that the weather was really warm after DS was born. Also, they're perfect for lunches as well as dinners, so they're good if you find yourself with family and friends coming over for the day.

Big hugs to everyone who's struggling today. Hope you're ok, Cherry.

Hope you are well Cherry

On the travel front I have a question for the experienced Mums, a close friend has a wedding in France in September and although I am due in early August, I am really hoping that I will be able to make it by going on Eurostar. I thought I could book really good travel insurance and if things are difficult / impossible then I can just cancel. Everyone I have told so far has looked at me in horror saying that a 5 hour train journey with a new baby aged 3 - 5 weeks old is crazy... is it?

With you there Blueberries. Shit day at work + 5am wake up + busy weekend + leaving my half made baby quilt on the bus has left me highly demoralised for today. Time to persuade my body to sleep.

Gutted about the quilt!

Sleep tight all!

Planning late pregnancy travel is always a tricky one. I wasn't travelling, but left my last maternity leave until a few weeks before I was due - and then had DD at 37 weeks! Not all first babies are on time/late ....

Hi ladies,
Gosh its taken me a while to catch up with all the goss, we are a chatty lot aren't we!

Can i join the 5am club too! I was quite surprised at just how many of us were all being woken up at the same time! Im hoping its not a sign that the baby will be up all hours! I was soo lucky with my first two - they both slept throught the night (from 12 - 8) from 5 weeks old, and have been great sleepers since, which meant i still got my beauty sleep! I know they say that no two babies are the same, so maybe its wishful thinking that i will have 3 great sleepers.

Im not sure about the whole travelling thing really - i guess i would go along with the majority and say leave it closer to the time and see how you feel. If travelling doesnt bother you then why not - i can confirm that the last few weeks can really drag!

Im in desperate need of some motivation! Im on my final teaching practice and have paperwork and planning coming out of my ears and all i want to do is sleep!!! Is anyone else anemic - my last blood count said mine was 10.4 which i didnt think was that low - but i am feeling soo tired lately - could this be the cause?

celly will you be by yourself on the journey?

I'd say it won't be a problem as in theory a baby of that age will sleep lots and want to be fed and changed and that's about it.

Definitely easier than travelling with toddlers.

We are planning on going on holiday mid september to spain/majorca/algarve so you won't be the only one travelling with a new born.

Morning

Better night last night, only up twice!

Celly before i had DD i would have given you a horrified look, but tbh, as long as everything is ok with you and the baby then it would probably be fine. Especially as you can carry them around in a sling or car seat, and if BF ok it would be quite simple. Would be soooooo much harder with a toddler!

The sun is shining here today and despite having a stitch from rushing around at the horses this morning i am feeling quite perky.

Have a good day ladies, i may even have some carrot cake for you all later

celly I wish I'd been braver about going out and about when ds was tiny - as everyone else has said, so much easier than travelling with a toddler! But, it depends how you feel after the birth tbh. I think with so many of these things it's a case of hope for the best, plan for the worst

sonntobefatnat No!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally understand how you feel - I've only made a couple of quilts but they are such a labour of love. Maybe some kindhearted person will hand it in to lost property?

Well, I had my faith in humanity restored a little this morning. Got on the train with bump on show as much as possible, making sure my baby on board badge was clear for all to see (finally gave in and got one last week, not that it's made much difference!)...no-one offered a seat. But then a lovely lady I was standing next to asked me in a very loud voice "Would you like me to embarrass one of these gentlemen into giving you a seat?"...2 men immediately jumped up and offered a seat. I almost kissed that woman - what a star!

cherry how are you this morning honey?

Blueberries that is funny

*Blueberries" that is brilliant. Well done to that lady. I had about 4.5 hours on the train yesterday (all first class so no problems with seats or anything) but as is always the way whenever I am travelling I am disppointed in the "courtesy" (or lack of) of many English business men.

Nat sorry about your quilt. I hope it gets handed in. I'd be gutted to lose something that I'd put so much work in to.

Hope all is ok with your DH Caz. Sorry if my message was confusing - I was irritated and just in type it out mode! Conflicted = have a conflict of interest with the suggestion that I may therefore not be independant of the project.

Hope all is ok with you Cherry

Travel and getting out and about with a baby is one of those things where I do think a lot of it is mind over matter and not working yourself up into thinking it is really scary. My parents were very cautious and unadventurous from a travel perspective and I'd really like to instill a love of travel and exploring into my children - I intend to start early

blueberries, what a nice lady!

I'm feeling a distinct lack of motivation this morning - was gonna go and do some voluntary work this morning but changed my mind when my alarm went off!

Hop everyone has a good day and no more tummy pains - chulita I had constipation earlier on and it gave me quite a nasty tummy ache one day, I was surprised how painful it was (and have been eating fibre much more carefull since!)

just saw cherry's thread - really hope you're ok hun xxx

Stockwell Bus Garage has my quilt - huzzah! Faith restored in humanity by this... And the nice lady on Blueberries bus.

Fingers crossed that Cherry's okay.

yay nat !

yay nat! It's gonna be a good day today! Might slope along to Cowshed at lunchtime for a cheeky pedicure

Ladies... busy day. Just thought any of you thinking of carseats might be interested in the current boots offer. 20% off Cabriofix car seats and bases, that are the most highly recommended on Which? - plus you currently get 10 advantage card points to the pound on baby products - and free delivery over £40. So we got a car seat and base for £200 and £20 worth of points back.....

Also thinking of Cherry

hello ladies,

sending 'hope your ok' thoughts to cherry soontobefatnat glad you've got your quilt! I felt so sorry for your and your bad day.

blueberries yippee about the nice lady on the train! I think there should be a nice lady like that on every train.

I am super chuffed as I managed 50 minutes in the gym last night 25 on the cross trainer and 25 on the bike follwed by a 30 min swim, felt fab for it!

Hi all,

Hope you're enjoying the lovely sunshine.

Celly, I hate to be the one to throw a wet blanket, but personally I'd think twice about travelling with a newborn. For me, having DS was like being hit by a juggernaut, and those first few weeks were just a haze of constant screaming (from DS, mostly ) and difficult, painful breastfeeds (which were NOT discreet, I can tell you!). Plus, I was still a physical wreck myself - total exhaustion, bleeding breasts and anaemia. Frankly, if someone had told me I needed to travel for 5 hours and then go to a wedding, I'd have lain down and died. BUT - my experience was pretty bad, and lots of people have it much easier. If you have a reasonably straightforward birth and a baby who takes easily to feeding and sleeps as well as it 'should', then you might be ok. Though even then, I do think women tend to put too much pressure on themselves when they have new babies - you really do need time to look after yourself.

Obviously, what Aussie says is partly true, that attitude plays a big part. But a lot of it is also down to the kind of birth you have and the kind of baby you get (which, at that age, is just the luck of the draw). So, although I wouldn't say don't go, I'd make very sure that you're able to cancel if you want to, and also that you're not going to beat yourself up about it if you decide not to go. I hope I'm not just being too pessimistic - I don't think I'm an unduly cautious person (after all, I would happily do that journey with my toddler, which I think just tells you how much depends on the type of child you have).

Really hoping Cherry is ok...

That's great news about the quilt Nat.

Pample, that's a great deal on the Cabriofix. It is a great carseat and can be used in a couple of travel systems too IIRC (Quinny Buzz included I think?). I had them for the DTS and paid £180 x 2 for seats and bases from an ebay shop, that was 2 years ago, so £200 with £20 back is a good deal.

My DS was awake at 12, 3, 5 and 6 last night! I felt so tired this morning. He's not too demanding when he wakes, he just likes a little rub on the back and he goes straight back to sleep, but dragging myself out of bed even for just a minute was not good! Doesn't bode well for having another newbown does it. I hope the co-sleep/side cot thing works. The DTs usually sleep so well so it is a bit of a shock to the system when I get woken

I agree with Elusive, that travelling on a train with a newborn at about a month old would be very draining (on top of four weeks of sleepless nights as well). But maybe the baby won't be an up-all-night type and you might not be too tired to go. I think just keep a loose plan to go but then just see how you feel when the baby arrives.