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

Hello ladies!

Bloody hell, it took me ages to catch up on the old and new thread as it's been ages since I last posted! Work has been very busy!!! But not today!!!

Yesterday i found out that a year 7 pupil has been diagnosed with shingles!!!! So I've been told to get a blood test done and stay away from school until the risk of exposure is low as I have never had chicken pox. I've always assumed I'm immune to it and as I haven't had any direct contact with this pupil I'm assuming all will be ok but obviously it's better to be safe then sorry!

So sitting at home waiting for the doctor to call me with when and where I have to have this done and thought it would be a great opporunity to catch up with you all. So much happening, and time is flying.

Break up from work in just over two weeks then start maternity leave on the 2st September just as everyone at school will be going back to work, so perfect timing!

Feeling very unorganised! I've bought a few babygros and that is it!!! Need to get moving on the nursery as soon as I break up.

Hopefully I'll be able to start posting and keeping track of this thread on a regular basis now work is finally slowing down!!!

Hi all,

Thanks for the reassurance on the movements. Had a bit of a hormonal tantrum on Friday evening after worrying about movements all day, then getting stuck in traffic on the bus and missing my train home. But did a kick count in the evening once I finally stopped rushing around, and felt 10 within about 15 mins, so sure it was just the stress of work making me not really feel much!

To cheer myself up, we had the day off and went baby shopping for the first time on Monday - got Moses basket and travel system - we plumped for the iCandy Peach, my bank balance will never be the same again, but is v.cool and I can't wait until it's delivered to test it all out! Have to say it was a long, exhausting day looking at all the options. We went for Mamas and Papas first as thought they would be hot on the customer service, but they really weren't. John Lewis were great.

Anyone have cot advice? We were thinking cotbed with dropside, but there don't seem to be many about with the dropside. Seems like it would be a standard feature, but anyone with experience think it's unnecessary? Also cotbed seems sensible as longer term use, but if we have another LO in a couple of years, perhaps we'd be better off just getting a cot which we could reuse. And was looking at the cheaper end of the market on the basis that they all conform to safety standards, but is this a false economy? Anyone with recommendations?

29+3

Jodey I think shingles is a different mutation of the chicken pox virus; I'm fairly sure you can't get chicken pox from it.

Dixiebell we got a cot as we wanted to get a more exciting bed when DS went into his first bed. He was 2 and 5 months when we moved him and got a second hand car bed with a new mattress then. He was very excited to get into his new bed and so happy to stay in it, not sure if we'd just taken the sides off his cot he'd have been quite a keen. I cried taking his cot apart but found out 3 months later we were expecting no. 2 and putting it back up was much more fun!

Bessie123, apparently if you come into direct contact with someone who has shingles and you are in your first or third trimester of pregnancy and have never had chicken pox you are classed as high risk (high risk of what, I am unsure). GP did Blood Test to see if my body carries the antibodies which makes you immune and I should get the results back Monday but have been advised to stay away from school until I get the all clear on Monday.
We shall see. The GP said most adults have these antibodies so hopefully all should be fine. I suppose they just want to be extra careful. Another pregnant colleague, who is about 5 weeks further on than me has also been signed off by her GP. Crazy world.

I cant wait to start shopping for my travel system, cot and things. Bet it makes it seem more real. We need to do it soon as our dog freeks out when we get a new piece of furniture! He walks around it so cautiously like it has dropped out of the sky from another world.

Has anybody else with a dog ever put any strategies in place prior to the birth to get your dog used to the inevitable changes of the new addition??

freaks out, sorry! Spelling error! Blaming the pregnancy foggggggg!

Jodeylea When I was pregnant with dc3 my friend had just had a baby and our dog got used to her first. I know that sounds like we tested the dog on someone elses baby but we just introduced them gently and my dog just sat and sniffed her feet for ages.

To get her used to our new arrival we let her have a sniff of all the pram, cot and clothes etc. Shge wasn't overly bothered as she is very maternal, she has a thing for baby rabbits and cats.
when I brought dc3 home I made sure I didn't carry her into the house and I fussed the dog and gave her some treats. did the same with dc2 as well.
Over the day she got a bit curious and had a sniff of baby and settled for licking her feet. Yes my dog has a feet fetish.
we kept our voices calm and never told the dog off for the first week and we made sure she was well fed and exercised so she had no need to feel leftout.

We were really lucky in that our dog is so placid and maternal and tolerant, she and dc3(almost2) are best friends.

My sis played a tape of babies crying every day for a few mins so her dogs got used to the sounds. she also banned squeaky cuddly toys for the puppy so he didn't take the babies toys.

Dixie ToysRUs have a cot bed with a drop side and different base heights. We stuck with a cot as we had room issues. We have a cot bed for dc3 to move into and it is huge

Stupid question:

We don't own a car (we are member of StreetCar which is a pay-as-you go car service). When in labour I expect to go to hospital in a taxi or be driven by a friend. DH and I will both be staying at hospital for length of labour + 2 nights.

Do we need to take our car seat in with us when we go into hospital for the return taxi ride or lift home?

Hi everyone, i've been away for a while - nothing exciting just busy and very tired. Can't believe how many are on the thread now, its incredible!
Been reading through the thread, sorry about all the bad stuff sassy34264 but weirdly i've heard of the clicking noise! i read it somewhere a week or 2 ago but can't remember where - i do know that it wasn't bad tho and have spent the last 2 weeks listening very carefully for it!
I too haven't packed a hospital bag but have got the moses basket out the loft and dusted it off. Luckily DS is 4 so can walk or scooter everywhere so don't need to buy a new buggy. Unfortunately i found out the sex of the baby (mistake) as i've been buying way too many clothes already - it's just too tempting. At least DS can get excited about having a littls sister to take care of.
Dixiebell we bought a good cot with drop side from mothercare which wasn't expensive and then when DS was too big for it bought him a proper single bed also from mothercare which he loves as it's not too high and it's big enough for us to crawl in along side him to read stories at night - he'll have it for years and the other cot will be used again for this newby. Mothercare have pretty good bargains - we also got the Amicor coolmax mattress which was good. Another tip is intercoms - we had a Tomy one with DS which was rubbish - cheap but rubbish! Did some research and apparently the best is the BT intercom so we just bought the 150 - reduced to 59.99 in mothercare at the moment (no i don't work for them or get commission)!

32 + 3

Dixiebell, we're deciding between an iCandy Cherry and an Oyster - both very similar in terms of what they will give us, so I expect it'll all be down to gut feel!

32 + 4

Thnaks babyshoes.
I'm buying 2 cots from mothercare also. I saw them in the shop and they were a little smaller than most and therefore would suit us because of space. The Ashton cot- £64.99. Unfortunately the mattress size is a little different and the right size from Mothercare is £32.99. I have however managed to find it on a different website for £19.99.
Got my car seats today. Need to wash the baby clothes, bedding, towels etc, but for some reason i'm putting it off. Don't know why. Maybe it's because i don't want them to come yet and it's all getting imminent!!!!
Still need 2 mahoosive nighties to take to hospital and some more rather fetching full brief knickers. Wit whoo!

Skatergrrl I took my car seat in with me when having dc2 and the hospital were fine about having it sat under the bed. It was a pain tho lugging it from labour ward to recovery There was loads of room tho so could easily of had all 4 of us bring our prams in.
With DC3 I got dp to bring it in the day we came out as this hospital is a bit on the small side. Give them a ring and ask if there is room for it to be stored by your bed. If you are getting a lift home ask the driver if you can leve it in your car when you go in.

Skatergrrl, I don't know if yours is the same, but they won't let you leave our hospital with a new baby unless you have an appropriate car seat with you, so might be best taking one along in case, unless you can schedule dh to pick it up at another point while you're there.

Hi everyone

I'm finding this second pregnancy so much more tiring than the first. Can barely walk up my hill! But, apart from that, not too bad. I got diagnosed with SPD in the sacral-illiac joints (lower back) so wearing a pelvic girdle, it seems to help but have to be careful to hide it under clothes, cos it looks so, well, medical!

Oh, and are restless legs driving anyone else insane?? It wakes me up. GRRRRR!

I am really looking forward to meeting the baby now though. Can't quite believe I'm going to have 2 kids (esp 2 boys!!)...but I'm even kind of looking forward to the labour (I must be mad!). I'm going for VBAC and don't have any birth plan at all beyond, push baby out! That would be nice.

Sleepy quick post:

Drop sides great. We ordered one from Mothercare catalogue first time round. Turned out the cat was wrong and it wasn't drop sided. We couldn't be bothered to dismantle and get refund so we negotiated a partial refund instead. I wish we'd had one. Bending over when you have to keep mattress at lowest position is a pain for the back. the cotbed was decent quality though and DS loved it when it turned into a proper bed (apart from the inevitable falls to the floor when asleep!).

Mudandroses I want to do VBAC too. Are you going to any "refresher" classes? I plan to but not organised it yet.

29+7 (or shouldn't that be 30 bang on? )

Debs75: Thank you for that advice. Our dog is very laid back but he too has a foot fetish so that'll ne interesting. I have heard of poeple playing baby cries and also carrying around a pretend baby doll. Will defo be trying these things out bit by bit as really don't want to freak him out with it all being too much too soon. Thanks again.

Morning all!
Can't remember who was asking about cat nets for the cot but my advice is don't bother! We bought 2 when the boys were born - think from John Lewis irc - and they were USELESS! The mesh was far to wide so cats' paws could easily slip through, had nowhere near enough tension in them (elasticated) and worst of all they fascinated the cats! We ditched them and just made sure doors were closed so cats couldn't get in to the room. Maybe we were just unlucky with the brand we bought but the were def our worst buy last time round.

Had another scan on Tues and all well. The sonographer did it in 4D for a bit - was very cool and a bit freaky to see the girls 'properly' with proper little faces and all. Dr said will have to have a c-section again as twin one is breech - had kind of decided to request a c-sect in any case so happy with that. Would have been a bit miffed with her if I'd been keen to try a vaginal delivery - she made it sound as if I had no choice at ALL which is nonsense. Didn't seem worth arguing though aswould prefer a c in any case. Will be at 38 weeks so same as with the boys.

sassy34 - that all sounds reassuring what they are teling you now about going to 38 weeks, hope youfeel bit less worried now?

jodeylea - fingers crossed for you re shingles, good that school picked that up quickly.

good morning everyone!
so i did call the hospital again my midwifw refered me and said id probably have to stay in over night at least...waited around for 3hrs of blood tests,urine samples, internal examanations and 15 mins of fetal monitoring,to be told i was PROBABLY ok and could go home,the doctor told me to take some paracetamol and come back if the bleeding got heavier...
im not really sure what to make of it all really im sure they would have picked it up if something was wrong but the paracetomol's done nothing for the pain...no more bleeding though.

sorry to ramble on at you! hows everyone else this morning?!

Restless legs, cramps and acid indigestion/heartburn all now in full flow! love2dance I'm going on a refresher course at hospital in couple of weeks but don't know what needs refreshing, it's all quite clear in my head from last time.... am also going for VBAC but have C-Sec booked in for 1st September if nothing happens before then (they moved my due date to 28th Aug!) but have scan in 2 weeks to determine whether need C sec before then as low lying placenta may be attached to old scar tissue! also, little lady is determined to only lie transverse or breech no matter how many downward dogs i do! Therefore, my birth plan is there is no plan, just see what happens again i suppose. My bag is definitely not packed yet either, last time did it at 36 weeks i think and DS was born at 42!

32 +4

restless legs are always nice, they sound so 'blahh' when i moan to dp about them,but they really suck!
babyshoes:
how low is your placenta (tmi?)
i was told mine was low and have to have a scan in 3 weeks,but not much more...im not really sure what it means for my birthcenter planned birth!?

don't know how low, just low enough to block birth canal. had it last time and it moved but no previous CS scar tissue to attach itself to then i guess.
Not very reassuring for you about hospital saying you are 'probably ok'. honestly, they are so matter of fact about stuff sometimes but i guess they know what they're talking about - however, i'd keep an eye on cramps and bleeding and see how it is by end of day and call hospital again if nothing has changed. good luck

thanks!
ahh, perhaps mine will move then?!
its just a right pain as i dont drive and the hospital is 30mins drive away, so i have to arrange childcare for dd,and a lift for me,all to be told its nothing and i can go home...grrr!

((feels sorry for self,then feels guilty for being utterly selfish))

You don't need to feel guilty and aren't being being selfish. Late complications are a real pain in the arse and a stress. Just when you're looking forward to starting maternity leave you're having to think about rushing to and from hospital.

No one but you (and maybe us, in sympathy/empathy )really knows what it's like so even when you have a support network it's tough.

One good thing for everyone on this thread. We are all past the viability date. I hope nothing happens too early for anyone, but if it does thank heavens we live in a time when we have good neonatal ICUs/ITU's.

thanks Love2Dance
it is so good to know were all in the "safe" zone,
of course id MUCH rather lo stayed put for a bit,but at least we live in a country where so much is possible!
and all for free!

i guess im just worried if i keep going back and nothings wrong i'll look like a right numpty,
im not normaly one for worrying...but now im worried about worrying...god,bloody HORMONES!

Had my growth scan today and baby is exactly average, yay!!

BUT he is transverse no wonder I have so much heartburn and regular vomitting if I eat too much the only part of him the is below my bellybutton is one leg!! Consultant said he's not worried but will be if things haven't changed by next scan in 4 weeks. Also have a bit to much fluid but not worried about that. On the plus side he didn't went CS but did say that if he remains transverse (has been since 20 week scan) then I will have to go in and stay in hospital incase my waters go and the cord is forced out before the baby. Not great for someone hoping for as natural as possible birth and only taking 2 weeks off work

DS was back to back and did all the positions in the world to try to get him into a better position and he was born face up so I am not so optimistic about this one moving but will do all I can. Plus they found protein in urine so may have urine infection

While I'm moaning, went to midwife yesterday with 6 children (am childminder) and sat in waiting room for 40 mins only to have all the tests re-done today as the letter didn't bother to mention I would be seeing the consultant as well as having the scan, what a waste of time!

On the dog front, we just sat DS in his bouncy chair and sat right next to him to let dog give him a good sniff. I was induced on weds evening and due to staffing shortages didn;t get home til saturday eve so she was having a good sniff of me too!!

Sorry to hear about low lying placenta babyshoes and skyeplusbump it's horrible having extra things to worry about and the hospital see it regularly so are really not bothered by any of it it seems to me.