10/10-sunny days and sleepless nights; third trimester here we come

[nymphadora]

And off we go again

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My LO's a fidgit, he doesn't so much kick, more like wiggle. He does it after meals and at around about 1am as well.

shieldbug, well, I am feeling a bit more positive, yes, but still slightly concerned. This is a scary time, this pregnancy lark, isn't it!

Ivy, we sound similar then - similar height and exercise habits.
Are you still exercising? I'm only swimming four or five times a week (and not pushing it, just a few lengths, never so I'm out of breath), and Pilates once or twice a week, and then one ante-natal Yoga class, though the latter doesn't really feel like exercise at all - a couple of stretches, then focus on breathing.

sam12, most of the time I think people commenting on bump size/shape is just because they want to acknowledge the bump, and can't think of anything else to say.

Abfab Your excercise schedule sounds lovely, I miss mine. I've not been swimming in a while due to weird random guys at the pool plus it's term kicking out time round here which equals mass chaos. Are you still feeling concerned about your bump? I'm serious, people still at me like this when I say I'm six months pregnant. Have you decided what kind of cloth nappies you're going to get yet? I've been drooling over cheeksandcherries this week trying to resist buying some of the stuff on there.

Sam I think this is when the worry Mum gene kicks in.

It's chucking it down round these parts at the moment. I'm trying to be a bit more active as well, but it's getting harder so I have to go slow. I suppose a walk round town is better than just lounging around on the sofa.

I am jealous of the exercise you're getting AbFabT! I'm walking the dogs twice a day and cutting around at work, but thats about it. I'm a little frustrated at the moment- so many people say the best thing about ante-natal classes is meeting other mothers some of whom can become firm friends. however, I can't find a class in bucks that does not eat into a riiculous amount of work time and my DH would be unable to make 90% of the sessions (considering he's missed all my scans, this is not something he wants and neither do I). There are no classes near my home in lincs, so I've found one near nottingham thats an intensive one over 2 saturdays in September. Its 40 miles away from there. Giving birth down south would be great, but I have no contacts down there for afterwards and will only be there until Xmas and I have friends and family in Lincs, but no one around the same stage as me. Ho hum- I know I'm sounding wingy....

Weird random guys, Hermya?

Still undecided on the nappies - we bought three at a baby show, and I think I'd like to get a selection to use as trials, and see what suits us best. There are too many to choose from and I just feel overwhelmed. I emailed the Nappy Lady a couple of months ago, filled in a questionnaire and she sent her suggestions, still feel overwhelmed, but think we'll probably go for a trial pack. Maybe mix and match is a nice way to do it anyway!

Elsa, walking dogs twice a day is great exercise! Mm, fresh air too!

DH and I are doing a one-off intensive course one Saturday afternoon. Not sure if we'll make friends out of it. I do know the NCT offer meet-ups/post-natal groups, so maybe you can find one of those. I am not too concerned, things tend to work out and we land on our feet ok.

Have you checked on MN Local, or there's another site that I think has a slightly more active meet-a-mum board, you post a bit about yourself, and see if anyone wants to meet up.
Go to www.netmums.co.uk then find Local Boards, and Meet A Mum.

Abfab Older retired guys with bad dye jobs and a combover that looked at me like I was lunch.

Thank you for the tips AbFabT.

Hermya I totally understand why you wouldn't want to go on mat leave now- it would be the money side for me too. DH and I have agreed I will struggle into work, no matter how sore my back! However, having had 2 months off last year after being abroad intensively for the previous 6 months, I had no trouble adapting to home life!! So in that respect I wouldn't climb the walls like you, but your job might be much more fun.....

Abfab - you're "only" swimming five times a week and doing three stretchy type classes... not much exercise then! I was feeling inordinately proud of myself yesterday because I went swimming in the afternoon after work despite getting up at 5.30 for work at6.30, and after having about five hours sleep, disturbed twice by DS waking and then toilet. I'd also like to know your definition of just a few lengths - I think it might equal my "loads". I did 20 and was so proud of myself because that's six more than I did two weeks ago, and that was the first time I'd been swimming in about a year on my own without DS (which isn't swimming at all for me, just holding/pulling him through the water and bobbing about).

Hi to those who have been away or absent for a bit. Piesey, I totally understand you worrying about flying long distance now. Hope it goes well.

The bump comments are funny, aren't they? I think I look six months pregnant for someone of my build and pre-pregnant weight, nothing more or less, but the response is so different from different people. Interestingly my colleague who is also pregnant but for the first time, and about six weeks ahead of me, keeps saying about me getting bigger. I kind of think the subtext is "than her", which actually isn't true, because she showed from about the same stage as I started to, even though it's my second pregnancy, and is rounder than me, as she should be. It's quite funny. I think being slim to start off with and having small boobs makes the bump more of a focus for some people.

I was dead pleased yesterday because I finally found a bra that is nice, very slightly padded and FITS. It was actually in Mothercare which surprised me. As I said above, I am small of chest and have struggled to find something that will fit closely enough to support me. I also bought some of their under the bump cotton knickers which are great too.

I think you mentioned them before, didn't you, Hermya.

No worries, Elsa.

Well, floozie, 'only' in that I only do 30 lengths at a pretty leisurely pace of an 18m pool, the Yoga REALLY isn't what I'd call Yoga/exercise, far more emphasis on breathing and being calm and prepared. The Pilates I don't think I get the usual benefits out of as I can't do the core thing, you know?

Anyway!

Ooh yes, I have some Mothercare under-the-bump knickers. And one of their bras, though I don't think it's as comfortable as the designer one I bought at the Baby Show, but it was gorgeous and white and sadly me and washing machines do not a white bra keep!
I actually sometimes wear a sports bra vest thing - keeps me nicely supported.

Morning all!
Yesterday I plumbed new depths on the hormonal front.
I was listening to "Slipping through my fingers" by Abba (yes, I am a sad Abbaholic) and started thinking about sproglet growing up and leaving home and got all teary. I then had to remind myself that ITS NOT EVEN BORN YET!!! I'm a hopeless case!

Someone (who should know better cos he has 2 kids) said the bump was looking neat yesterday. If I'm this massive, I dread to think what he thinks a huge bump looks like! I agree with you AbFAb I think people just want to show they care enough to say something.

Getting a new washer and tumble-drier today (the latter part is essential in rainy NI!).Hooray! Since my last one packed up about a week ago, I have a mountain of laundry to catch up on.

My exercise regime is 4/5 swimming sessions a week at the moment but this is dropping to 3 a week from next week mainly due to reduced sessions available over the summer hols. I am a good club swimmer so do around 3k in an hour so 120 lengths of a 25m pool. I'm trying to train within my comfort zone but sometimes old habits die hard!

Finding swimming butterfly hard now as it requires a big stretch forward and my stomach muscles are starting to complain. Oh and I do 3 hours of dance a week aswell - mainly ballet so good for the stretching aspect. This is dropping down to 1 hour from next week as well through the summer.

I have stopped running, kick-boxing and general gym work so consider this "taking it easy" for me!

Had 28 week check this morning and she said continue doing what I'm comfortable doing and complimented me on my strong stomach muscles.

And shieldbug I had an hormonal/irrational moment yesterday while looking for a hotel in the city where I met my husband.

Could not stop crying! WTF?

All this exercise!! I really need to do more, Our swiiming pool is small, though and only has a couple of late night (after 5pm) sessions. Last pregnancy I walked a lot, but this time round, it really make smy bump tighten. The worry about another prem birth makes me worry as well (although I'm allowed gentle exercise). Am I worrying too much???

Had my 28 week midwife check today. And to all those who said at work that I'm enormous, well I'm exactly right for dates!! Heard the heartbeat and the baby is head down (it will probably move a lot bafore the birth, but ds was never head down, so it's a start! The lovely midwife also had a feel of ds's belly, as he keeps telling us about the baby in his belly!

Got my HIP forms and am going to send them off soon - it will pay for my car seat. Can't decide between Maxi cosi cabriofix or the Britax one.

28 weeks tomorrow, so third trimster here I come!!!

(ps very happy today!!

Moonstorm We've gone for the Cabriofix one, mainly because it fits our pram frame. Plus I liked the style of it. Glad your check went well.

On the Docs front, I finally heard back from them today. They've given me the fit note I wanted recomending a reduction in hours due to SPD. I'm hoping that this will help ease the pain and help me to rest more and not be confined to the house on my days off.

Thats good news Hermya.

I know what you mean about the bump soreness moonstorm- i'm getting it quite a lot when walking an also pretty bad stitch! I do think gentle exercise would probably be fine for you- they just don't want you doing kick boxing I would think!

I am impressed by all the purchasing of babywares recently. I still have not had the time to buy a thing and we don't even have a nursery sorted yet. Yikes!

hermya that's great news about the reduction in hours. Hope it means you can keep going at work as long as you want to.

I've been avoiding joining in the fitness talk because I am frankly hopeless at anything like that. My exercise is a 20 minute dash to the train in the morning (well ok a waddle to the train) and a more leisurely walk back in the evening. Does this count??! Most exercise classes I would be interested in are on during the day, so not an option unfortunately. I did do figure skating once a week but gave it up once my bump started to affect my balance. I hope to be able to take that up again as it's good fun.

yes shieldbug it all counts!!

I've yet to buy anything but have decided on a pram at last!!!! Drumroll- the Mothercare Spin. Its the only one I've any enthusiasm for and it can all be done one handed- its really quite fab. Off to walk the dogs now as I've been surfing for over an hour ....One of my dogs has fallen asleep in front of me with his chin on the sofa...

Wow i didnt realise how little exercise i did! To be fair though the bottom of my back sends shooting pains after a few minutes walking and it hurts to much.
I had my 28 week check up with homebirth mw and meassuring fine, heartbeat was normal which is great as with ds i kept getting sent to hospital as he had a heart murmur. Sophie is also head down but thinking she may of moved round as she was having a good fidget earlier.
Went abit peculiar earlier, couldnt breathe very well and started panicking like an idiot. Bit dizzy since then but drinking has helped. Builders didnt warn me and stopped us getting to the water supply all day and have only since 5pm been having a drink.

I'm hoping to start swimming again now as the Physio told me that it would be a good idea to try and do active things as it means an easier labour. There's a pilates class round these parts as well that I'm going to look into. Abfab has made me feel inspired.

Elsa When you said you'd been surfing I thought you meant you'd been surfing in the sea. I was very impressed until you meant you'd been on the internet.

I had an interesting adventure with my satnav this afternoon. It took me down a single dirt track road which had flooded in places. However I must have looked relatively confident as the water board man gave me a veery cheery wave. I also met a cow, she seemed bemused.

LOL Hermya- I had a similar experience with a satnav in Italy!

Slightly annoyed this evening- I was planning to work from home tomorrow morning and go to a meeting in the afternoon and the meeting's been brought forward to the morning. Fine, except my boiler has packed up, a valve is stuck on the hot water system and I'd booked a plumber to come in the morning. On top of that I had to get the dogs into kennels that don't open til 10, await a parcel delivery and do the work as prep for the meeting. My parents are back from abroad today, so I am hoping they can come over and cover for when the plumber is here.

They've just called and can help- phew! Still annoying though! Not my parents, but the woman who works for me who rearranged the meeting then asked me if it was ok grrrr.....

Its been a bit alien vs predator with my tummy today. All the movements have been not kicked but big rolls, so my tummy is really shifting about!

Elsa It is weird isn't it to watch your tummy rolling around like a bowl fully of jelly.

Definitely! The baby's just done a kind of drumroll.

Goodness. Ivy! That's some regime!

Glad you felt inspired to look into Pilates classes, Hermya. I'm not a saint - I just too am of the belief that if we exercise, our bodies should be better-able to cope with labour. That's the theory anyway! I heard this was especially true of Pilates/Yoga-type things.
I was slack tonight though - should have had a class, but it was getting a bit rushed and I couldn't be bothered. Did go swimming earlier, that will suffice!
If you are in pain already though, then no, I don't suppose you can exercise - unless under advisement from a professional.

I've just had a bowl of branflakes with strawberries and orange juice to avoid waking up in the middle of the night hungry as I have been doing. DH thought bran flakes would be a good idea as they contain iron which should help with the tiredness from anemia. I know people don't think its healthy eating before bed, but it must be ok in the 3rd trimester when you need an extra 200 cals a day?! I'm hoping for success as I'm sick of sleeping so badly and waking up at silly o'clock really hungry!

Abfab I'm the same, it's the one thing that kills me about the SPD. They told me to rest and to take it easy. I miss my endorphins, SPD and my normal excercise stuff don't mix.