Due Jan 06 - 1st Trimester Down, 2 to go

[Chuffed]

Here's our new thread.

Georgie (or should I say Mrs P!)

don't stop telling us about the wedding, we want to hear more! Are you taking dd to Dubai with you? How long will you be away for?

As for party games, the traditional ones work well in my experience, pass the parcel, musical statues, bumps, pin the tail, the chocolate game (take turns with a dice, when you throw a 6, put on the hat, gloves and scarf and try to eat the big chocolate bar with a knife and fork. Meanwhile the other kids take it in turns to throw the dice till they get a 6, then it's their turn to put on the hat etc.), kim's game, hunt the thimble, blind man's buff - any more ideas Rachey?

Rachey, my two weighed in at 9lb 4oz (ds) and 8lb 8oz (dd). I'm hoping no. 3 won't be more than 9lb. I needed an episiotomy and lots of stitches to get ds out, I don't fancy any more of that! However with a home birth I think episiotomy is much less likely. I just had a little tear with dd, and no stitches needed, so with a little perineal massage nearer the time, hopefully all will be intact this time!

Sweetkitty

sorry your scanner was such a b*tch. Some people don't deserve their lovely jobs do they? I'm sure it's not all healthy happy scans, but still, you'd think she'd make an effort when it was. What is your dd SK? I'm hoping for an early bird too, but doubt I'll get it, ds was 14 days over and dd was 7 days over, so I guess mine just take longer to cook!

Just watched the first episode of Marian again - anyone else see it? Very creepy, don't you think? I'll watch the second half tomorrow tho - seems ages since there was anything half decent on Tv.

Better go to bed now as I've got work tomorrow for the first time in 5 weeks. Out of the house by 8am - yuck!

Hi all

Knackered today, spent most of yesterday either at GPs or ENT casualty with ds1 having his gammy (infected from holiday) ears 'vacuumed' so we could get some antibiotic drops in. worked from 7-11 pm last night (whilst watching Marian, Again!) and from 6-10 am this morning to catch up! working from home has benefits and drawbacks. He went off to big school this morning looking so grown up, it's a real watershed. Also dd starting juniors and walking home (only 5 mins) from school with ds2.

Georgie - the whole day sounds fab, have a great time in Dubai. I used to be a primary school teacher and a playworker so I should be good with 4yr old parties but I'm afraid I copped out after toddlerhood and paid others to do it! I'd play some exhausting organised games in the garden if I were you, wear the darlings out - musical bumps/statues, pass the parcel etc be fine but make sure you have lots of sweeties for the losers! Limbo goes down well with little girls! to be continued...

...here's the rest of my post!

Sweetkitty, I would love to be a bit early, I always seem to be pregnant for at least a month after everyone else!

Lyra - my bouncers gave me plenty of stitches! had to have forceps (no wonder!) and an episiotomy with ds1, had a nasty 2nd degree tear with ds2 who turned into a posterior position and ended up coming out sideways I think! had a tiny tear with dd who was a face presentation and much the best of the lot. My midwife who was encouraging me to have a home birth is now pooh-poohing the idea saying the consultant will probably discourage me because of dd's face presentation. This is despite her saying the precise opposite last time. I have a feeling policies have changed a little over the last few weeks. I don't feel that strongly about it and am looking forward to seeing the 'homely' new birthing centre we have at the hospital.

Hey guys just checking in from Vilnius. Having an awesome time dd is being a gem. No probs so far with pregnancy but clothes keep falling down as only have maternity clothes with me and although I am definately looking pregnant they are still a bit big. I'm sure they will fit when I finish in 8.5 wks.
The only real pain is staying well hydrated as that makes needing to go to the loo more necessary and I hate having to find wc's all the time while travelling.
Hope all is well, will check in when I get another chance!

Chuffed!

Great to hear from you. You sound like such a slinky malinky with your mat clothes falling down.
Where is Vilnius? Sounds like somewhere from Harry Potter! I'm guessing Croatia or somewhere Balkan?

got to go and finish making tea, will post again later.

C'mon girlies

Where are you all?

I've just done some extravagant baby bits buying - a sheepskin baby rug for inside the pram. Nearly 50 quid, and coming all the way from New Zealand! Yikes. I've got quite a few friends who've offerred to pass stuff on, so I don't mind buying the odd extravagance. That's my excuse anyway...
I plan to line the old fashioned silver cross pram with the sheepie.

Anyone else indulged in baby buying yet or are you superstitious?

Rachey

How did your ds1 go on at big school? And how are his ears? I've never heard of anyone having them vacuumed before!

Good to hear from you Chuffed, keep checking in!

I'm so p**d off - been awake all night with my throbbing ankle and now working at 5am. Poor kids and dp, I have been in the worst mood ever!

Lyra - ds1 is fine thanks, managed to start school ok, bless him - somehow they haven't put him with any of his friends only two boys he knows a little from another class at his junior school. He seems to be coping fine though and looks so grown up. Luckily he knows some of the bigger boys from scouts. He had his ears vacuumed again yesterday (all the discharge sucked out by ENT casulty) and they are much better - they recommend it now before using local antibiotic drops (better than oral).

Lyra - was it you who mentioned fish oils a while ago? I got some from Tesco yesterday (so much cheaper than the special ones) but now I'm afraid I've got the wrong ones? Do you know what dosage you should take? Apparently we should be taking them from 27 wks to term?

Rachey

I've been taking mumomega since I last mentioned it (about 8 wks) - they're on 3 for 2 at our local Boots so I've stocked up. The capsules are 750mg and the recommended dose is 1 - 3 capsules per day. They are a mixture of fish oil: DHA 300mg, EPA 42mg, AA 8.4mg, DPA 8.4 mg and evening primrose oil: GLA 15mg, vitamin E 2.8mg. All per capsule I presume, or maybe not when you add it up. Hope that helps! Where did you hear we don't need to start taking it till 27 wks?

I am so k nackered today. I really enjoyed being back at work this week, but I overdid it today and now my bump is aching. I'm looking forward to a hot bath and early night, big time!

Keep looking longingly at other peoples' new babies. Can't wait to get one of my own. As my dh says, new babies really are the ferraris of some women's world aren't they?

Gosh we are quiet aren't we? Mind you, I can't scoff, having only posted once last week!

Glad to hear from you Chuffed, very jealous of your travels, but then again quite glad I haven't got to think about all that entails. I seem to be losing my mental capacity at a rate of knots... bit worrying at work, as I have to juggle lots of projects at once, and keep forgetting the stupidest little things!

Lyra, I haven't bought much baby stuff at all yet, as am slightly wary/supersticious (spelling??), but keep getting parcels of bits from mother and MIL, and pressies from friends, so my little cupboard is filling up. Fortunately like you I think we're going to get pretty much everything we need from friends, so am currently planning a few extravagances (mainly for me!!!), it seems only fair!

What is this about fish oils?? I hadn't planned on taking anything other than my Pregnacare tablets. Am I missing something?

Also, hope some of you experienced mum's can advise - braxton hicks? should we be feeling them yet? And if so, what do they feel like??!!

Know what you mean about other people's babies - I've never really been particularly broody, but it does seem like there are a lot of new mum's out there taunting me with their tiny new bundles! And HOW many pregnant women are around at the moment??!?! It seems like every other woman I look at has a bump... just like getting a new car. Only more so.

Hope everyone has good weekend's lined up?

Hi Loomer

Yes we are very quiet. I keep checking in, but try not to post too much, otherwise it'd be all me, not quite as much fun as hearing from everyone else!

I'm taking fish oils because I don't eat much oily fish as part of my diet (I don't like it much). I think it's supposed to help with brain development and things. You can get a special one for pregnancy called mumomega from boots, they're quite expensive, but on a 3 for 2 offer, so not so bad. I've also been thinking about taking some probiotics - it's thought that these can protect against allergies, both for mum and babe. There are quite a few threads about this elsewhere on mumsnet if you're interested. I often try nutritional supplements, but don't often keep up with it. I will for the rest of the pregnancy though.

Good weekend coming up: A good friend from Essex is coming to stay tonight, but not arriving till about 11pm. Hope i can stay awake! She's bringing her 2 kids, who get on well with my 2, so we're all looking forward to seeing them. What else, nothing special really, just more general relaxation. How about you?

Hiya glad everyones doing ok.

Re Braxton Hicks I don't remember getting a single one with DD, got loads of stitches/twinges when I was walking etc.

Haven't even thought about buying for this baby feel guilty but theres that much else going on. If it's a girl we will be sorted but even if it's a boy will only get a few vests/babygros. Made the mistake of buying too much last time, got loads of presents, DD never wore the half of it. Is very hard to resist love buying baby things. Went mad last time!!!

Well tomorrow is moving day at long last! Am mega stressed out tonight mostly because the removal people aren't here yet and they were supposed to be here at 6pm! DP is climbing the walls. So I'll be offline for 7-10 days hopefully (don't know what I'm going to do without mumsnet) anyway don't worry!

Good luck with the move Sweetkitty! Try to relax and let dp take the strain.

Loomer - I've had braxton hicks quite early this time, any time I do something slightly energetic ie walk up the stairs! However, I certainly didn't feel them this early before. I wouldn't worry about it, you'll know when you get them - your whole bump goes tight and hard.

Lyra - I am too tight to buy the special fish oils, I think you have probably done the right thing taking them all along but I read something by Vita West (preg vit specialist) that they are most needed weeks 27-40 for eye and brain development. My cheap tesco fish oils are one a day 1000g fish oil containing 180mg EPA and 120mg DHA - does that sound like too much compared with yours? can you overdo it when pregnant d'ya think?

We are all going to the footie tomorrow (dd is going just for the giant coke!) I'm really not that bothered but we have a swanky new stadium and I'm trying to take an interest! A life with men!

Speaking of taking an interest, right after our scan dp went to mothercare and bought a little outfit, then last week he went to tkmaxx and came back with this adorable little pram suit (he is normally to be found in the shoe section...)

I'm not not superstitious but I am practical and thrifty so I have bought so far:

Jane Carrera buggy and Matrix carseat - ebay £100 paid for by dp parents

Cossato bedside cot - ebay £70

Overbath bath - oxfam £1!

I've been so tired this week, back to school chaos and an important report for work that I slept all night last night and didn't wake up for a wee (or three), first time since I was about 8 weeks!

Rachey

It seems like loads more EPA (42mg in mine, 180mg in yours), but the DHA seems like quite a lot less (120mg in yours, 300mg in mine), but I don't think you can overdose on it, it is a food rather than a vitamin isn't it? Might be worth asking elsewhere on this website for the opinion of a nutritionist however.

As to baby items, I've started looking into buying a 2nd hand "womb bath." Has anyone heard of those? A bit like bathing the baby in a bucket, so he's totally immersed and hopefully feels cosy and secure and doesnt scream!

I'm a bit of a sucker for the latest baby invention - I quite fancy a special swaddling blanket, even though I can swaddle a baby in a normal blanket.

Anyone got any idea of what I can use on itchy nipples? Sorry if tmi, but my excema's worse in pg, and I know you have to be careful what you put on your nipples as it can be absorbed and go through to the baby (so definitely no steroid cream).

Hi Chaps. Am still here. Just been up to my neck in baking and arranging DD birthday party. Jeez, what a lot of work! Baked fairy cakes and birthday cake so feeling rather smug! Still, two hours with 13 kids running around all hopped up on sugar really takes it out of a preggers lady. Was knackered yesterday. Pretty surreal as well cos DD's dad was there and DH..... bit twilight zone-ish at times!!!

Glad you're all well. Have been thinking about how everyone is getting on. What with house moving and kids back at school and jobs and husbands to look after.....we;re a busy lot.

Anyone else had a HUGE bump growth spurt? Have felt really uncomfortable all this week. Tummy tight as skin is stretching. HUGE bouts of paranoia cos i tihnk it's contractions and my stitch is going to go. Feel like I'm sitting on a time bomb....just got to get to 28 weeks, then Beany is viable and I can relax (kind of).

Oh oh oh..... i forgot to say (pg amnesia again. Who am I?!). Had 20 week scan on Thurs. All fine with Beany and it's a GIRL!!!! Am actually really, really happy about it. Was convinced it was a boy.... so much for my womanly intuition huh! DH a bit gob smacked at thought of house with 3 girls and him!!!Not to mention how empty his wallet is going to be as well. But i tihnk it's fantastic as he'll have a daddy's girl al to himself.

Haven't bought anything for Beany yet. But Rachey, think I might be following you and looking on Ebay. Will wait until I get to the magical 28 week sand then think about what we need. Have found some lovely fabric in Laura Ashely though for roman blinds in her room.

Lyra - no idea I'm afraid for what to put on itchy nipples. Maybe calomine lotion? It's natural and you can use it on babes. Takes the itch out of chickenpox, so might be worth a go?

Loomer - with DD got really bad Braxton Hicks, but not until 8+ months and they were really painful. Tummy goes rock hard and is sore as hell for a while. Haven't had anything with this one yet.

Anyway, this is in danger of turning into a novel. We're off on honeymoon to Dubai on Tues for a week. Can't wait. So will love you and leave you and catch y'all on the flip side when we return on 21st.

Keep safe. G xx

Hello all

What a horrible night's sleep last night! I still get that horrible blocked nose feeling sometimes in the night that I got early in pg, does anyone else? I think it's something to do with hormones.

I've been doing some more purchasing for the new baby - I've found a local equivalent of mumsnet called netmums and I've been making use of its for sale section. A womb bath for £5 and an Avent Isis breast pump for £10 incl postage. Not bad eh?

A quiet day of chores planned for me today. Off to Aldi shortly to try and get a budget week's shopping, then antenatal visit with the midwife later. Probably a dog walk somewhere in between.

What are you guys up to today?

Hi Lyra

I'm just posting in my lunchour again - rather boring at work today, no exciting jobs to work on, am worried about being this bored this early in the week! Still, listening to the cricket online, which is keeping me well distracted! Come on England!!

I'm thinking of getting a womb bath too. My cousin is giving me a conventional over-the-bath baby bath, but I read about the womb buckets in a magazine, and the idea does makes sense; so I might give that a go too, especially if I can get one for a fiver.

I haven't had stuffy nose syndrome for a while now, more of a runny one first thing in the morning. But as you say it's all hormone-related.

My bump doesn't seem to have grown much over the last week, but it did seem to have a growth spurt a couple of weeks ago. Wierd. I'm also getting rather frustrated with maternity trousers, which just seem to fall down all the time! I guess I'm used to having some hips to 'catch' them on!

Hope you have a great time in Dubai Georgie, you lucky thing! When are we going to see some wedding pics eh?!

Hi

Not much to say except not feeling very well again so dont feel much like communicating - have horrible mega killer cold with disgusting green mucus everywhere (sorry if TMI)

How about Lansinoh for itchy nipples - the stuff you use for sore nipples while breastfeeding.

Did have a good weekend at Center Parcs - DS just old enough for it now and he had a ball in the water bit. He is driving me insane today though not his fault but combo of only half hour sleep/teething/hungry all the time!

My bump is really big I think - at scan they showed me that babe is parked right in the bottom with really big gap above for him/her to grow into. Have new strecth marks did not have last time so not chuffed!! Go into the space and not out anymore for the time being please baba.

Have a wicked honey moon Georgie. Take care all

H

Hi all
Havent posted for ages.. computer desk is loaded down with newspapers, DVDs, nappies, wipes,household bills and paperwork due to the fact that we are decorating all downstairs. We have ordered new carpet for living room and lino for kitchen-dining room and 2 new sofa's as well!
Its hell living like this... there is no sky plus so I havent watched coronation st for 3 wks and worse than that the kids can't watch Nick jr and cbeebies so I am tearing my hair out. Still it will be worth it when its all done
My bump is getting big now and I am also having back probs.. had to go to Drs today things are so painfull, but there is not much they can do because its the baby pressing on the Sciatic nerve
(spelling?)
DS1 started school yesterday full time although it doesnt seem to have calmed him down!
Nowt much else going on here.
Anyone thought of any names yet? I dont seem to get the time. I have 2 boys already and I really think this one is a boy too. I can think of lots of lovely girls names but not many boys names!
I saw in our local paper someone had a little girl they named Savannah Eden. I think its quite nice but am looking for something more traditional! I shall have to get my thinking cap on.

hi spangles - I started having back pain at around 17 weeks and a friend recommended a physiotherapist she had seen privately during her pg for PSD. The physio was fab and she gave me a load of pilates exercises to help strengthen my "core" and support all the loosening ligaments (apparently my pelvis is twisted too so she showed me a way of getting it back into alignment when it goes again too which it has has a couple of times. First few days were annoying as the pain was worse but, hey presto, am now now pain free - and with a stronger pelvic floor to boot It cost me £35 but was well worth it.

had scan last week and we're having a boy (dd is chuffed as apparently she won't be compared to now!) so naming will be 50% easier (lol) huge short list though - it is soo hard to find a name isn't it!

OMG I killed the thread sorry guys!

No Iris, you didn't kill the thread, it's just a quiet thread.

Could you possibly describe some of the exercises you do? I'd like to start doing them as my lower back is quite painful at times, but I'm not sure what to do, apart from pelvic tilts. Any suggestions?

My 13 year old ds is such a pain at the moment! He's just gone and disturbed my dd doing her homework, and won't give me a minute's peace. aaargh! Will have to go and sort them out.

Thanx lyra - was starting to think I was a total billy no mates!!! lol
The exercises are very easy but I hesitate to describe them for all to see because, with all the hormones and ligament loosening stuff going on with us at the mo, there is a real risk of damage. You'd be well advised to see a qualified physio (or a good pilates teacher - any worth their salt would be happy to teach someone who is pregnant) so that they can make sure that your pelvis is properly aligned in relation to your spine before you begin and then that you are doing them correctly. If I was talking to you one to one (and face to face)it would be different but in these circumstances I feel a bit vulnerable (have legal requirement iro duty of care in my job). Feel really awkward now sorry that I can't be of more help at the mo (apart from recommending liberal use of warm baths, pillows and hot water bottels . (((hugs))) Iris