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

[CherryPie3]

Thread 6.

You lot talk too much.....

Happy chatting

I wish I had the option to work from home but I work in a contact centre for road traffic accidents so unfortunately not possible.

Feel a little stuck to say the least.

Not sure about benefits - will ring up and see. I don't think so tho cos I'm still technically employed - don't you have to be unemployed to get benefits?

I think if your signed off on the sick it's different... could be wrong

I'll have a look into it - thanks!

Cherry You may be eligable for incapacity benefit.

I have got:

Buggy
Moses basket/bedding
Cot/bedding
Monitor (basic one that my friend used for her 2, then gave to us and still works)
Sling
14 baby grows 0-3months
2 complete 'newborn' sets (just in case it isn't over 10lb!)
A couple of little cotton hats
7 vests
Change bag

To get
Buggy board
Sheepskin/new buggy liner
Rocking moses basket stand
New teats for bottles
New steriliser
More vests
Baby sunhat
Nappies
Fragrance free babywipes
New changing mat
Present for DD from baby
Some stuff for labour/post birth

To make
More bibs
Some dribble cloths
A bird mobile

Erm.....think that is it?

I will definitely have a look into that Alice - thank you!!

My updated list (sorry I'm at work and don't have my spreadsheet with me

BOUGHT
~Pram/Buggy/changing bag - M&P Pramette
~Cot - Kiddicare (fab bargain!! came yesterday) Not bothering with a moses basket this time. Already have a mattress.
~nappies - dozens of size 1 and 2
~cotbed fitted sheets x 5
~white sleepsuits size newborn x6 (asda)
~white/cream sleepsuits size early baby x6 (gift - hope I don't need them!)
~socks, white size 0-0 x 5prs (tesco)
~white popper vests size newborn x6 (asda)
~steriliser
~wipes

STILL TO BUY
~car seat
~gender related clothing
~monitor
~presents for dd and ds
~change mat
~crib for downstairs naptime (maybe)

whilst we're doing lists....

updated hospital bag - got a feeling I'll be using it soon.

Hospital Bag Baby (to be added when/if I get to 36wks)
sleepsuits ? x 3
vests - x 3
cardigan
scratchmitts x 1pr
hat ? x 1
nappies x10
Nappy bags ??
wipes x 1pk
blanket - ?

Me
old stretchy vest - for labour - GOT/PACKED
nightdress (front opening)
nursing bra
maternity pads - x 1 pk ? GOT/PACKED
pants ? x 10 cheapy to throw away ? GOT/PACKED
flip flops
bath sheet ? GOT/PACKED
breast pads x 10(5prs) ? GOT/PACKED
flannel ? GOT/PACKED
toiletry bag (containing small sham/cond + shower gel, toothpaste/brush, hairbrush, hand sanitiser, deodorant, perfume, make-up (concealer/mascara/blush), lip balm, cleansing wipes) ? GOT/PACKED
PSP + charger (for dh when I?m in labour) ? GOT/PACKED
NDS + charger (for me, when I?m in labour) ? unable to pack yet due to dd using it
Phone charger
Book (in case I get bored of NDS) ? GOT/PACKED
Munchies (biscuits, crisps etc)
Energy drinks
Cooling spray - for labour ? GOT/PACKED
Camera + batteries
Change for carpark (visiting times ? free when in labour)
Ipod +speakers

Sorry, Cherry, got the wrong end of stick. Could you at least 'self-certify' yourself sick and go to bed for a few days, and then see how you feel with a bit of rest? Might buy you a bit of time before the inevitable...

Am going to have to cave and start some lists of my own, I can see - else full blown panic will ensure seeing how organised you all are.

I'm seriously thinking about doing that LilyPad - it will mean having to use my savings that I was saving for mat leave but I figure I'd rather do that, than have nothing at all.

Loking on the bright side

Can I ask as a first timer what people's plan's are re bathing? (Baby that is - I think I can cope with bathing me!) Use the sink? Get in the bath with? Have one of those support/prop things? Baby bath? Am not keen on baby bath idea - am sure will be heavy, inconvenient and just get in the way when not being used - but which of the other ideas is best? And what about soap - what's essential?

We have bought a structured baby bath, we will use it on kitchen side to make draining it easier, the bath itself has a plug-hole to make that bit easier.

We were going to use the sink but it's a small round one and theres not really enough 'kicking room' for baby.

(Plus the bath was only a fiver from Asda baby event )

Ok, so the pains are back

Started Tuesday evening, all day yesterday. Back again today. They hurt enough for me to take codeine every 4 hours, and they feel like tightenings around my bump and across lower back. Also getting pains in my ladybits .

Could it be another water infection do you think?

I started timing them (just in case) and heres the times I got them.

15:05
15:23
15:45
15:59
16:10
16:24
16:30
16:39
16:52

Do you think I should ring the hospital again or just keep taking the codeine and managing it that way? You may remember I was admitted last week because of bump pains, and it turned out to be a water infection - wondering if it's the same this time?

Sorry to bug you all - I must sound like a right worrier!!

We bought these bath supports and bathed them in the bath but then there was two of them so we needed the room. I liked the bath supports a lot. They were only £12 then though IIRC!

Cherry, are they still thinking it is an infection you have? I just wonder why they are thinking of readmitting you - do they think the infection might start labour? Hopefully the ABs will kick in over the bank hol and you will be back to full fitness. It sucks about work - big time. Does your employer pay you full pay for any time off sick eg even if it's just a week or two?

CazEm, pregnancy photographer? Can't you just get your Dh to take pics?

Sorry x-posted there Cherry. Yes ring the hospital. They will be able to tell you for sure if it is an infection,. Good luck!

Cherry Def go get it checked out - not worth risking it.

Thanks Neenz I'm gonna ring dh first, need to then wait for him to come and get me (I'm still at work). Will be here til about 6 I think - thats when my shift finishes anyway.

I'm starting to think this baby is a girl - I had no problems at all when I was pregnant with ds!!! But with dd.....premature delivery! Little tinker!

I hope this isn't the start of labour

Is it very strange that I'm hoping for it be an infecton?

Evening!

Cherry - you need to take it easy! A bit of bedrest will do you good, self-certify yourself for whatever allowed length of time and then see how you feel.

Had a good day in work - one of my kiddies were particulaly cute today! Pulled herself up on to my lap, kept gently patting my tummy and then saying baby and then led her head on it! Although she was particulaly gross at another point in the day too - we're toilet training her at the moment, sp popped her on the loo, then popped my head back in the classroom for literally 10 secs to grap some wipes, came back and she had stuck her fingers up her bum and hand them covered in poo. Oh the joys of special school!

So far we have:-
Pram - M&P Pliko Switch (Mimi)
Cot - Mothercare Pure range cotbed.
a few cute outfits 0-3 Months
ceiling light fitting for bedroom
wall decoration lighting for bedroom
moses and stand borrowing from friend
babasling borrowing from friend
baby bath borrowing from friend

We've made a list of things we need/want to get before baby is born. Think we're going to buy the cot/moses bedding this month. And when my HIP grant comes through we're going to buy the car seat from M&P that fits on the pram chasis. Also we're doing respite this weekend and looking after DH disabled step-brother. So when the money comes through from social services for that we'll buy the bedroom furniture! Lots to do/buy still!!!

Bought the cat some scratch mats for outside our bedroom door today, (and new toys as its her birthday tomorrow - yes I know what a crazy cat lady I sound!!) - we're going to start keeping her out of our bedroom at night in prepartion for baby (think I've figured out how to fit her in our room now in a moses so need to get cat out until baby goes in her own room) and got the scratch mats to protect our carpets!! Start of with just one night and then build it up over the next couple of weeks until she's out completely.... I tell you what its like preparing your firstborn for the arrival of your second! I've spoilt her too much!!

Right think I may go and have an hours nap... feeling particulaly sleepy this evening!!

Cherry also x-posted - ring hospital - I really think you need to be monitored, those cramps are really regular - I agree with Lily its just not worth taking the risk ....

neenz - lol, yeh I got DH taking a pic a week from the side so we see how big I get. Started that as soon as I had my BFP, but I couldn't resist a proper photographer, especially with the package this one was offereing "Maternity Milestones with Newborn Shoot" - it was my indulgant treat to myself!

CazEm I know - I just hate the fact that they'll prob wanna keep me. And I feel like I'm wasting their time.

I have my GTT tomorrow morning too.

I wanna go hide somewhere

We're thinking of you...

and you're NOT wasting any one's time!

You are definately not wasting their time hun! Regular cramps are a genuine concern, and its much better to get it checked out and be told your fine than try and manage and then they get worse. Sending you hugs and positive vibes... hope your feeling better really soon! Thinking of you...

Cherry, please please get it checked out. You're definitely not wasting time, and it sounds like you really need to be looked after and checked over, even if it's just to give you peace of mind. I hope everything's ok; let us know when you can.

Re bathing, I second the recommendation of one of those moulded plastic bath seat things. DS LOVED his (though when he was a bit older it enabled him to completely soak us and the bathroom by kicking his legs violently - very cute!).

You're both right of course

I'm gonna ring them when dh gets here - not long now.

They seem to be settling a little now thank goodness! Tightenings still there and also the back pain.

I can't mn from my phone so I'll update you all when I get back...

Gosh, been away all day. Good luck Cherry - thinking of you.

I really hope its an infection too Cherry.

Caz, that is great that you get paid to offer respite care. Usually the govt expect family to do that sort of stuff or free dont they . I totally agree with offering payment cos the carers need a break but it is not fair for the family to have to pick up the slack for free. Another good policy from the Labour govt?