September 2010 - the end is in sight (even if our feet are not!)

[comixminx]

Time for a new thread to take us into the final leg of the journey!

Here's the latest version of the list that I could find - do update with your info as necessary! PickleSarnie, I've added you. Sassie, I can't spot you in the list unless you've maybe namechanged?

Jaysfourth #4 EDD 24/08/10 Nottingham, GIRL
Inzidoodle #2 EDD 26/08/10 Scotland, BOY
MerryMagpie #1 EDD 28/08/10
comixminx #1 EDD 28/08/10 Oxford SURPRISE
Foxyjbro99 #3 EDD 29/08/10 Shropshire
lilypad72 #1 EDD 30/8/10
mcfee #2 EDD 31/08/10
cinnnamongreyhound #2 EDD 31/08/10 Suffolk BOY
BooStar #1 EDD 01/09/10 New Forest
sazziej #1 EDD 01/09/10 West Lancs, GIRL
SkaterGrrrrl #1 EDD 01/09/10 London SURPRISE
Stickhasgrownup #3 EDD 02/09/10 SE London SURPRISE
NovemberAli #1 EDD 02/09/10 Nottingham
lillyfc #4 EDD 02/09/10 East Sussex
Babyshoes #2 EDD 02/09/10
ChocolateCalculator #2 02/09/10
swordfishtrombones #3 EDD 02/09/10 SE London
bananastew #2 EDD 02/09/10
flippertygibbet # EDD 03/09/10
IlariaS #1 EDD 03/09/10
jbakedbean #2 EDD 04/09/10
patito #2 EDD 04/09/10
Cakeandfinewine #2 EDD 05/09/10 Staffordshire GIRL
Mellousol #1 EDD 05/09/10
Monstermuncher #2 EDD 05/09/10 Glasgow
ciacia #2 EDD 05/09/10
Eleanora #1 EDD 06/09/10
Debs75 #4 EDD 06/09/2010
monkeymiss #2 07/09/10
EmmaLM #1 EDD 07/09/10
Heather1980 #3 EDD 07/09/10 Manchester
Eggonlegs #2 EDD 08/09/10
Catbus #4 EDD 09/09/10
TTTrouble #2 EDD 10/09/10
Surreygirl #2 EDD 10/09/10
LB1981 #1 EDD 14/09/10 NE London, Girl
Susiey #3 EDD 12/09/10 N.London
weirdbird #3 EDD 12/09/10 BOY
upsoearly #2 EDD 13/09/10
AMMG #1 EDD 14/09/10
Cityangel #2 EDD 15/09/10 London
Love2Dance #2 EDD 15/09/10 London, SURPRISE
Bonners #1 EDD 15/09/10 Scotland
MadameG #1 EDD 16/09/10 London
CathN #1 EDD 16/09/10 London
MudandRoses #2 16/09/10 Brighton Boy
ArcticFox #1 EDD 16/09/10
HellysBelles #1 EDD 16/9/10 SW London
Bloominnorah #2 EDD 17/09/10 Scotland
WhiteRoses #1 EDD 17/09/10
cazza41 #1 EDD 17/09/10
Mellymooks #2 EDD 17/09/10 BOY
Willthecatbejealous #1 EDD 17/09/10 Leeds
Lifeas3plus1 #2 EDD 17/09/10
princerhysmum #1 EDD 17/09/10
aswellasyou #1 EDD 18/09/10 Birmingham GIRL
LadyRabbit #1 EDD 18/09/10 
LucyLG #1 EDD 18/09/10 Staffs
VoilaAnotherGimlet #1 EDD 19/9/10 London
Scooby16 #1 EDD 19/09/10
lenga01 #2 EDD 20/09/10
Whammie76 #2 EDD 20/09/10 Scotland
PickleSarnie #1 EDD 20/09/10
Irishgal1 #1 EDD tbc
MammyG #3 EDD 21/09/10 Ireland
Nandos #2 and #3 EDD 22/9/10 London
caprica6 #1 EDD 22/9/10 Hampshire
DreamingAboutSleep #2 EDD 22/09/10 Herts
Muswellmummy #1 EDD 22/09/10
coppertop #4 EDD 23/9/10
ooosabeauta #2 EDD 23/9/10 GIRL
JodeyLea #1 EDD 24/9/10 Birmingham
Saoirse86 #1 EDD 24/09/10 Birmingham GIRL
Bessie123 #2 EDD 25/09/10 London BOY
StrictlyTory #2 EDD 25/09/10 SUPRISE
Sunface #3 EDD 25/09/10
Kittyonthebeam #2 EDD 25/09/10 Dubai BOY
Bellabelly #3 & #4 EDD 26/09/10 Kent 2 GIRLS
Ohfuck EDD 26/09/10
RunningGuerita #1 EDD 26/09/10
Dixiebell #1 EDD 26/09/10 BOY
Zowina #1 EDD 27/09/10
Watersprite #2 EDD 27/09/10
legallyblond #1 EDD 29/09/10
velvetjess #1 EDD 29/09/10 London, SURPRISE
MummyFifi #1 EDD 30/09/10 GIRL

Oops to the pants/knickers/trousers debate! Hilarious. I meant knickers - there's no way on earth I'd fit into pre-pregnancy trousers now! My jeans fall down a bit, but they are rather stretched from last time, and most over bump ones seem to stay up fine.

Re leg cramps, I got those towards the end of both my previous pregnancies, so I expect I have them to look forward to! I think that using a long pillow between my knees worked quite well (needed one for comfort from about 7 months anyway) and also I think eating bananas helps. I used to go scuba diving and they recommend you eat bananas to avoid leg cramps then.

I think the pineapple thing is a myth - I ate about 3 whole pineapples in a row when DD1 was overdue, and all I got was the runs . If it was actually proven then there is bound to be some sticker on them saying don't eat whilst pregnant. My personal bugbear is that awful sign on wine bottles of a pregnant woman holding a wine glass with a line through it. Jeez. It could just as easily be a man with a ponytail and a beer belly, and he probably shouldn't be drinking it either! I've actually not really drunk alocohol at all this time round (had a few Becks 0% beers which are great) but the odd glass of wine is nothing to get worried about.

So who will be watching the football this afternoon then? I'm not sure I'll be able to see it from behind my hands! C'mon England (let's have some mindless optimism!)

I've started buying for my hospital bag. I had a voucher for boots so spent a mini-fortune. will start packing the bag in a couple of weeks.

Have put in for my HIp grant and will send off the surestart maternity one next week. According to the budget I will get the HIP but still not sure if I will get the maternity one. Which of course is the bigger one so the oe we want.

Have just realised we will have nowhere to put the babies clothes as we still have DC3 in our room and her clothes are stuffed under the cot. Might have to resort to stringing up some washing line and hanging things up.
Really hope that we get a bigger house in the 10 weeks before baby is born

managed to avoid leg cramps this time. had them realy bad with DC1, so bad dp thought |I was in labour a few times. I got them if I stretched too much so try and stretch out you legs but not your toes and wriggle your legs as you stretch, that seems to help. If you do get cramp then stand on something cold and pull your toes up. HTHs

I'd like to watch the game Swordfish but, being at work, I will have to settle for clicking Refresh on the BBC website repeatedly, like a demented lab rat after a peanut.

I'm not only at work but even giving a two hour presentation! But I'm supporting Brazil ( and smug emoticon) - am allowed because I'm half Brazilian.

Good Afternoon to you all. Been a while since I posted.

Had a taste of the child free life for a night at end of May as my (works in media, glam) friend had her birthday at Soho House in London. Great fun and nice food. Nice chat with the only other mum there, but she got plastered so was soon incoherent! My friend said in well-meaning way: "I don't think she gets out much" (she's a SAHM and hubby works in the City). I knew just how she felt. Nice to be let off the leash for a bit.

I've had a birthday (6th June) which I didn't celebrate at all as away on holiday (Turkey, nice time, but 2nd week too hot even for me - a confirmed sun worshipper).

My carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists is getting worse. Heat doesn't help as I have swelling. I'll just have to live with it.

Been avidly catching up on posts. I have done zero planning save for DS new nursery school (feeds into reception Sept 2011). No hospital bag. Almost no potential names. Haven't cleared spare room (DS will eventually move there to share with baby and au pair to be will have his room). Haven't done my taxes (self-employed and I want to know the nasty surprise long before I have to pay in Jan). Haven't arranged to go with friend to Portobello Rd Market to sell unused/unwanted clothes and put £ towards baby/au pair/next holiday/nursery fees etc.

Hey ho. Had very vague VBAC conversation with a Registrar on my Consultant's team at hospital. Still undecided but I'd like to give labour a go. Baby was breech at 20 week scan but I know that can change. they said I should decide at 36 week appointment.

Sorry I can't remember who posted what but my pennyworth on:
Breastfeeding
It can really hurt at first (but not everyone does). Lol at Jordan comment. It's so right. Think of the biggest, most fake, stuck on-looking porn star boobs that look and feel like lumpy papier mache (hot and achey too). That's what they look and feel like when the milk "comes in" about 3 days after birth. Nipples can take a bit of time to toughen up with baby trying to latch on. I hope I'm not putting anyone off. This is stuff I wish I'd known first time round. Once you get the hang of it and the boobs calm down it's fine. Lovely in fact (that feel-good oxytocin effect).

There's a website www.friendlybaby.co.uk/special-offers.html that has a small discount on Lansinoh products this week (great lanolin salve for soothing sore nipples and good quality disposable breats pads).

Exercise post birth. Watch out for stress-related injuries from high impact stuff like running. The relaxin hormone stays around for quite some time after birth so your ligaments will still be soft, placing more stress on bones and muscles (I suspect Paula Radcliffe's spinal stress fracture after her baby had a bit to do with this). I was warned by a physio not to run for at least 6m. I ignored it and had back and knee problems. I perhaps should have taken more time to build up strength in muscles with appropriate weight training whilst doing low impact aerobic stuff to assist with stability before getting my Asics on but everyone's different and others might be fine.

29 weeks

Swordfish - loving the Becks 0% beers too!

Old Jamaica ginger beer for me!

Thanks for the breastfeeding advice Love2Dance - I reckon knowledge is power and if I'm expecting certain obstacles I may be able to overcome them. Fingers and nipples crossed!

sassy34264 I had heard the quinine in tonic thing as well and the potassium in bananas is supposed to help too. Touch wood no cramp so far!

Will be watching the second half of the football, got 2 school runs one at 3.30 and one at 4 so will be leaving in 10 mins.

Fell over this afternoon, not really sure what happened but I have a very bruised knee and grazed wrist and hands baby has been his usual active self, so I'm pretty sure no harm done!

I ate a lot of pineapple, along with curry, bouncing on birthing ball and have sex (including oral as I heard that helps too) and was still induced at 12 days over with DS so I wouldn't worry too much about pineapple!

Thanks everyone. I have ate 2 bananas today, hope it works. Never heard of quinine, but will try it.

I remember getting carpal tunnel syndrome last time as well and that hurt much more, used to wake up screaming. Hoping i may bypass it this time.

On a happier note, I was a lady that lunches today. Met old colleagues today who didn't know i was pregnant. I managed to put nail polish on my toes but shaving is impossible. It's only about the 2nd time i have made an effort with hair and make up since i got pregnant and actually managed to feel relatively attractive- despite my size and general hairyness!

sassy how did the bananas work? Hope you had a better nights sleep.

I went to a 'wellbeing' class last night which is run by my local childrens center, it was really good and useful as a first timer- lots of information re breastfeeding, and the warning signs of post natal depression, a typical day of a newborn, two week old, one month old etc... three other mums -to- be there, all first time mums like me. Next week we are covering 'essential' and 'nice to have' equipment for baby which will be interesting as I have already bought most baby equipment.

Tonight I have my first 'parentcraft' class at the ante-natal clinic at the hospital, and I'm looking forward to that, especially as DH is home today so I don't have to walk into a room of strangers by myself!

Anybody else started classes yet? Not long to go now....

30+1

Am with eveyone else on the legcramps - just the last two nights, wondering if it's partly the heat? Hasn't been too awful but bad enough to wake me up. Sadly I can't stand bananas so can't try that remedy - will stick to tonic water...

Are you ok after your fall cinnamon?

Classes: I have my 2st NCT class tonight!

No leg cramp here, just back ache....

Has everyone got their names picked out?

2st? FIRST class tonight!

Hope you're okay Cinnamon? Your attempts at inducing DS sound just like me with DD1. It was totally laughable the lengths I would go to. Luckily she did come out without having to be induced, but she was still 10 days late which was a LOT of curry! Oh, and gallons of raspberry leaf tea as well. That reminds me - I must dig out my exercise ball. DD2 was early by 8 days, but I think it was because I had a bad cough and she practically fell out!

I've had the worst indigestion this morning. It felt like a heart attack with really bad chest pains and making me double over. Ouch! Several glugs of Gaviscon and trying to remain upright and calm (and not cry like a big girl!) has sorted it out I think. I woke up feeling really coldy as well so I'm not very happy today. I think I'll have to go and lie on the sofa and watch sport until I have to pick up DD1.

Love2Dance - hello again and thanks for all your useful tips. Don't worry - I certainly won't be running anytime soon!

Where's Jaysfourth? She hasn't been around for a while.

30 weeks

I'm fine thank you! Have woken up this morning with a very achey shoulder but I guess it's just force of falling. Baby is just as active as usual today so I'm sure he's fine.

The midwife has already offered to give me sweeps at 37, 39 and 41 weeks this time Swordfishtrombones but I don't think I want to start that early! Also, hoping he will be a day or 2 overdue for the school year.

Cinnamon My sis fell over at 8 months and bounced off her very huge belly. Nephew was born fine a couple of weeks later. They are well protected in there so whilst baby will prob not of noticed you will be in pain. Typical huh?

Am getting really tired during the day now and could do with an afternoon nap but DD will not oblige. Can't sleep on a night too well either, it is just too hot.

Just found out DS(11) does have to go to Leeds to have a tooth filled. The waiting list is around 3 months so we will either be driving 90 mins whilst I am ready to drop or with a newborn. I would happily go tomorrow, went to Manchester last week and managed fine, or go in 6 months but will have to go when they have a place.

29+3

swordfish - midwife just rang with results of blood and all is fine... apparently iron is 12 (not that that means anything to me!) -so not anemia making me tired! May still be because I'm on anti nausia meds, which have a tiredness side effect... hadn't thought it was them as cut down from 3 a day to 1 a day... but probably is now I think of it!

Just been dancing to 'just dance' on the wii with my 4 year old dd - why does she always get a higher score than me!?

cinnamon - I know what you mean about the school year thingy... as much as I just want this pregancy over with I really don't want it early! Have to keep my legs crossed until september! Even though DC1 and DC2 were early!

Think I'm bursting out of my bras again... its getting silly! Last lot were a 36G ... running out of shops that stock big enough!

sazziej Much better last night. They threatened to cramp a couple of times but just flexed my foot and it went away.

Got my GTT tomorrow. Boo! It's at 9.45am, so that means i can't eat from 9.45pm. I don't normally eat after that time anyway, but because i can't, i've gone and had chippy for my dinner and bought doritos with dip and also some jam coconut macroons!
It's psychological that i have to 'treat' myself because i have to fast for 12 hours.

sassy Love the comment re macaroons and doritos,.... I would be exactly the same! Good luck with GTT. Glad to hear the leg cramps were better last night - I have been up since 4am due to leg cramps and the heat.... first on the shopping list today - bananas!

Went to my first ante-natal class last night - as a first timer it was really good - midwife went through what to pack for hospital, for baby, mum and dad - very useful, although I'd got some stuff ready I'm going to revise it.... and get my bag packed asap (one more thing off my list).

Happy weekend everyone.

For leg cramps - I learnt a neato trick at yoga. If when lying down you can angle your butt next to the wall and lie with your legs straight up against the wall it feels like magic. I do it at least once a day to get the blood back and stop the cramping. Oh and re:beer I have been getting into the Cobra 0% it is almost as good as the real thing! Best of luck ladies.

I went and brought some bananas today! Keep getting woken by cramps and have to get up and walk around... what with that and needing to wee I'm like a yo-yo!
I did read somewhere that cramps can be a lack of calcium... so may have a hot chocolate now too!
Still can't contemplate even thinking about packing a bag... or breast pads... or maternity pads... but did try and get a sleep bra today - however was told by lady in john lewes that they no longer sell them. So I gave up!

stickasgrownup I eat cheese, drink milk and eat yougurts like they are going out of fashion, so mine can't be lack of calcium.

I have a wierd symptom that i can't find an explanation for. Asked my student midwife friend and she said she has heard women talking about it, but she hasn't come across anything about it in her medical book. I keep getting a click/ popping sound from my bump. It usually occurs as one of the babies is moving or just after. It feels like it is just underneath the surface of my bump. Anyone else experienced this?

I have varicose veins

I had noticed on the front of one leg they were more pronounced but not really bumpy. Best friend told me today that I have two lumpy ones on the back of my calves. I have been feeling them as an itchy bruised area but assumed it was another patch of excema.
Whats a good way to help them go?

Wow, just had a bit of a catch up read - have been so tired I haven't been able to keep up!

Had a couple of crampy twinges in the night but nothing too bad, most of the time. My back is 'clunking' terribly though. Not painful, but when I lie down I need to twist so that I get a series of clicks out of my spine, otherwise I can't get comfortable. Anyone else got this? It's becoming difficult to twist with such a big bump now!

Sorry to hear about your varicose veins Debs. All being well they should improve soon after the birth (not repair, but not be as bad), but there's not a lot you can do right now apart from compression hold-ups. They're meant to prevent them worsening, which hasn't worked for me, but they really do make them more comfortable if you're getting pain from them. I can't walk around without them on for more than a couple of minutes. The doctor can prescribe 'Scholl Ultima' hold ups which cost about £12 normally. If you get them, maybe try to check at the pharmacy that they give you the ones with a rubbery grippy top, as I've found the non-grippy ones just fall to the knee, leaving an unsightly 'baggy granny tights' look and obviously don't work as well then.

Anyway, sorry to run on, got onto my favourite topic there...

On the subject of falling down trousers and pants (and knickers), I've started wearing my dad's braces and they are doing a marvellous job. Didn't have so much trouble with trousers last time, just wore normal jeans and a bump band, but my bump is so low this time that I can't get away with that. Blooming Marvellous had a very good sale last week where I got some cheap but good maternity trousers, which are holding up nicely with braces under my top! Have no solution for falling down knickers unfortunately.

Never heard of that symptom sassy, hope someone comes up with an answer!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend

Managed to find this:

What is that strange clicking sound?

Occasionally a pregnant woman will describe a distinctive 'click' or 'pop' coming from inside her uterus, usually when her baby is moving during middle to late pregnancy. This is not very common, but we have been asked this question by a few women over the years during the course of them sharing their experiences.

The 'clicking' phenomenon is not documented in midwifery or obstetric text books. Therefore it is hard to know what really causes it. One plausible explanation may be that the baby's joints are rubbing or 'clicking' as they move, but we cannot be certain. In our experience, women who have noticed 'clicking' have gone on to have healthy, normal babies. Therefore we do not think it is anything to be concerned about. Perhaps it will just remain one of those strange mysteries of pregnancy?