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

[nymphadora]

And off we go again

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hi everyone!!

Sorry been really struggling to keep up as my laptop has broken and i can only see this when i come onto a friends computer so please forgive me if i dont comment on everyones news at the moment. it would just take me very long as i havnt even read any of this thread apart from the last page i really will try and keep up so dont forget about me hermya i love the look of the ouch pouch i just checked out your link. But im struggling with myself too as to whether i really need it lol. But it would make us look very organised if we got one! xx

Hi everyone

all the shopping going on sounds really exciting. I haven't done much yet, just a few body suits and a steriliser. We are currently decorating DDs new bedroom so once she is in, I can start sorting out the nursery.

Thanks everyone for the congrats about baby boy - don't think it has sunk in yet!

Hermya hope the reduced hours at work are helping. My suspected SPD hasn't been so bad the past week but travelling down to London on the train yesterday left me aching so trying to rest today.

Meansbeans are you happy with the Sola? We are planning to go for the green one - just hope it works with a buggy board

Hope everyone is having a good day

Hello ,

So term has finally finished and I am on holiday for five and a half weeks. What a relief. What with the heat and the stress it was quite a slog at the end there.

I have been reading but not posting for a while so am sort of up to date with all the news.

All is well here, especially now that I am on school holidays! We had a 4d scan at the weekend which was just fabulous. I would whole heartedly recommend to anyone who is considering it. We went to the birth centre in Harley Street and came away with about 30 photos and a dvd of our baby. She is so cute and already has my chin . It was truly momentous and we were blown away by the resolution of the images. She was the right size for her dates and weighed 2lbs 5oz. She's on track to be between 7lbs and 7lbs 7oz. The right sort of size for someone of my build .

On the down side, I had a regular nhs scan today as I have an ovarian cyst. Did someone post and say that they had one too? Mine is quite large (6.5cm x 4.5cm) but not currently growing. It is thought to be benign but it's not possible to tell without a biopsy. I am going for checks every 4 weeks to monitor it and after delivery I will need surgery. Apparantly it may rupture or twist but as the baby gets bigger and bigger there is less chance of that because there isn't room. If I start to experience pain I have to go straight to A&E just in case. In between appointments I feel fine about it and then when I see the consultant I feel quite low. I've never had an operation before and feel a little fearful.

Apart from the cyst I'm fine. Not quite 28 weeks though - I'm really jealous of all those who are already 31 weeks. Wow, that seems like forever away!

I'm a bit like an old lady first thing in the mornings these days..it takes me ages to 'loosen up'! I seem to get all stiff overnight and hobble around at first. DH says he now knows what to expect in our old age . Baby is head down and has been for a few weeks so hopefully she'll stay that way. The placenta is anterior so some movements are muffled by it. Mostly I feel her bottom sticking up in the air and her arms around her mouth. These sensations are really low down and when her elbow gives me a good prod I can often feel it in my groin. It's a weird sensation!

Hope everyone else is well - I am going to name check and everything now I am on holiday! SB x

Afternoon Samantha I have a cyst, but on the last scan it had not grown so I'll ask them to investigate after I have the baby as it was very painful before.
Backagain what type of steriliser did you get- are you planning to breastfeed and use it for cleaning bottles with expressed milk or bottle feeding from the outset? Feeding is still something that's a key topic in my dreams- I keep dreaming about how i'm going to feed the baby. Wierd.

I had my new mw's appointment! She was very nice and, unlike the old one got out her diary and booked me in for the next appointment, none of this faffing with her going and me having to try and catch her to arrange next appointment. The whole thing was very refreshing. Everything was fine, urine, blood pressure, baby's heartbeat (I never get tired of hearing it). She reckons my fundal height is measuring 25 weeks and I'm 28+5 today so she'll check again in a couple of weeks and if i'm still small she'll refer me for a scan. she reckons its because my abdominal muscles haven't separated yet, so I'm holding it all in. I'd verify that as I can get stitch like muscle pain when I walk fast. It was funny though as my mother had been giving me 'worried' expressions and keep commenting on how big I am and here I am measuring 25 weeks! I told her and she denied all knowledge of telling me I was plump, big for my dates, carrying a massive boy etc etc. She used to be a midwife and left the profession over 35 years ago declaring that she did not like mothers as they were 'selfish'.

However, now she's telling me how great she was, not acting like my mother, but getting all medical on me, telling me she 'is a midwife' not was etc etc and also wanting to be no more than 5 minutes away from me when i'm delivering and telling me how much I'd benefit from her being there as she can make sure that the staff do their job properly....So I have that issue to grapple with as I know I'm going to offend her by saying no thanks. Also, I don't want her staying in my house straight after the birth..more offence likely. Ho hum!

However, my antenatal care is now sorted! Cool!

Hi All. Got a midwife appointment in half an hour. Hope yours went well Elsa. All good here, just had a friend from Bahrain visit us for lunch with her two children. That was fun.

Just need to wait for my DH to come home so we can do more stuff rather than hang around the house. I am a bit upset with him to be honest as he's supposed to come back next Thursday 5th August but says he might leave it another week. That'd give him 3 weeks here into which we've got to squeeze a holiday in Cornwall, a few days at his dad's in Norfolk and numerous visits around the South East. He wants more time with Genevieve when she's born and won't listen when I say she won't know and I need him home now. Am I being unreasonable?

Dontstop, what cars are you thinking of buying?

we are going to Norfolk in 2 weeks ILGH.
Wish I had finished work sam, still got 11 wks to go unitl I go on Mat leave. I have been sharing my strange dreams with the other Oct thread, can anyone beat this- last night I dreamt we had taken in 8 cats (as well as our own) but the 8 needed their nappies changing every 2 hours. I can still picture these cats on a changing table on their backs with their legs in the air! they were very cute though

ILGH- YANBU- i agree x x

Elsa I had to laugh at your Dogs, had this image in my head of a spaniel walking round with a knitted boob in her mouth. I'm glad it went well, sorry about your Mum though. I side stepped the issue and have just decided that I will simply 'forget' to tell mine that I'm in labour because she would just show up to the ward and expect to be let in no matter what they were doing to me.

Roobear Have you been bulk buying nappies recently? What an odd dream.

ILGH Is he working abroad and is Genevieve going to be your daughters name? Or have I gotten mixed up somewhere along the line.

Sam Glad you had a lovely scan.

Backagin I'm on leave this week and am enjoying the break tbh, but it all got confirmed that they'll be reducing it. Glad you're not suffering though, it's not nice is it.

Shieldbug My feet were terrible, I remember going through reams of that medical tape trying to prevent my toes from rubbing against the seams of my tights. It helped, but not that much.

Katy I know what you mean, I think I would feel like I was slightly organised with one but still unsure if it is worth a fiver. I suppose we're doing well if this is the main worry of the day at the moment.

Thanks re my m/w appointment, Everyone.
Good luck to everyone with theirs that are upcoming!

Elsa, hope you are just the same as me re the initial small measurements. It's most likely nothing, and I think measuring the way they do isn't really all that scientific. I know they must know better than me, but it just doesn't make sense to me! Think the only real way to tell if the baby is a good size is a scan!
Result that your new m/w is great - thank goodness for that! And 'bless' re your mum! Hope you manage to handle that one ok!

How much was the 4D scan, SamB? Glad you're so happy with the results. Probably won't go for it anyway, but interested to know!

ILGH, YANBU! I think whatever the pregnant mum-to-be wants, she should get! DHs need to just say yes, DW!

Had a lovely elevenses meetup with Hermya! Was great to meet you, and mooch in Mamas and Papas. Hope you got home ok!
I got home and napped on the sofa! Bit tired today! Don't envy anyone who does a commute on public transport on a daily basis!

Elsa glad to hear your new midwife is much better than the last

I have got a Tommee Tippee electric steam steriliser - got it with lots of extra bits, bottle warmer, bottles etc. I managed to breast feed DD for a week before the pain got too much (not just nipple pain, I had stitches so struggled to sit in a good position for breast feeding). Plus the midwife didn't feel I was producing enough milk to satisfy a very hungry baby. Hope to try again with the breast feeding this time but just being pragmatic re: steriliser. I didn't have one before (used cold water sterilisation) but think an electric one will help me be more organised.

Hermya no SPD is not fun at all, I am finding I am a bit stiff first thing, then I loosen up and then start aching at night time. Off to have a warm bath to ease it but don't think I have it too bad at the moment after reading up on it and others' experiences.

Hello fellow October ladies!

I am 28weeks now. Amazing. Got MW appt on Thursday and that will be with MW number three. I kid you not. So glad not going to our local MLU as my understanding is that it's bloody closing ! Not that I have been told by any medical people.

Anyone else experienced that energy surge yet? No? Good. Me neither. I am lazier than a lazy person living in lazytown.

ILGH I agree, YANBU. I would say that on the basis that you want to be feeling relaxed and like you've had some time together before the baby arrives. DH and I want to do some couple-y things (and for you I guess that means things with the boys too) before the baby arrives, as we think it will help us feel ready for all that comes with looking after a newborn. could he compromise and come back half way between when he wants to and when you want him back?

elsa glad the midwife appointment went well, I'm sorry your mum is being a pain. Mine is coming which I am grateful for but is going to stay in a b&b. If she hadn't offered to do it that way, we were going to offer to book one for her, using the reasoning that then she wouldn't end her holiday feeling sleep deprived. Could that be a way to look like you are doing your mum a favour? I will really need my mum around but at the same time she can be quite hard work (she means well, it just comes out all wrong sometimes!) and this seems like a great solution.

samb that scan sounds lovely, I'm so pleased you're really happy with all the pictures.

I like the idea of people buying ouch pouches to make them look organised. They sound useful but I don't think it would fool anyone into thinking I was organised

Silver, we are meant to get an energy surge? When???!

Allegedly in second trimester. Must have completely passed me by!

Silver Energy surge??? I've had a surge but that was mostly down to cake, love hearts and coca cola and the effort used to get them.

Abfab It was fun meeting up with you as well, .

I'm off to see Wicked today, I can't wait!!!

Morning all,

Elsa glad to hear about the mw, agree with AbFab re the mystery of measuring... wait and see o strong muscled one Sorry about your Mum, that would have really wound me up I have to say.

ILGH nah, YANBU, the man has to come home. Tell him it's smacked legs if he doesn't....

Went to a class for SPD last night, they do that so everyone can get seen I think but you can have an individual appt if you like - would it be worth posting here what I've learned or better to post it on the SPD sofa?

Totally overdid it yesterday so cream crackered today - silly woman - yeah, that energy surge? I think someone else must have got mine.... ;0)

morning all- AbFabt I kow what you mean I spent the whole of the 2nd trimester feeling shattered. But, from the day before yesterday I've suddenly started feeling better and have been making the most of the extra energy with some longer dog walks and doing more housy stuff in the evenings. I'm sleeping better as well apart from the loo stops, which is great.

Hermya123 thanks for the advice re my mother! DH and I are hoping that the baby will arrive on 10 Oct as thats the actual date from conception as the scan date of 14 Oct means that there'll be some shepards hanging around and 3 kings looking pointedly for the north star....DH and I were at opposite ends of the country. If it arrives on 10 Oct my mother is in Guernsey....

I don't know if this is a particular thing with my DH's work or if its a legal requirement, but apparently he should have notified HR and his line manager of my EDD by no later than 15 weeks before (which he hasn't done despite me hassling him) and also has to fill out a form with all the details, specifically mentioning my due date. Now, here's the ridiculous bit: 'If the person concerned has to make an unavoidable late alteration to the planned Paternity Leave dates, the line manager and HR should be notified at least 28 days before the first day of the expected week of the child?s birth.'

Is it me or is that absolutely bananas?! Considering only 5% of babies are born on their due date.

Morning.

Had to take my wedding and engagement rings off this morning as my hand has puffed up. That'll be it until I am thin again. Boo!

Saw midwife yesterday and I laughed as she got the measuring tape out, felt my tummy and put the measuring tape away again - she could just tell by eye I was the "right" size. I was chatting to her about hoping to train as a midwife soon and she was lovely, showed me how to find the top of the fundus and said it was a great idea to train after a family as it really helps you understand the job (of course it does!).

Hermya, we live in Bahrain but need to come back in summer because of the heat. DD will be called Genevieve. I wouldn't mind his reasons if his new holiday didn't start in January and we've got two Eid holidays between getting back and the end of the year. Grrrr.

On the plus side, I managed to get a maternity dress that I've been after online but my size was out of stock until this morning. It's for a christening in August. It's a beige tea dress with black dots from Top Shop. I had to get a 14 though cos it's not stretchy jersey and I don't want to split the seams! I have more casual dresses and a lovely fomal purple chiffon dress already but none of those were quite right for a christening iyswim. And I can sell it on ebay afterwards. That what I have to tell myself anyway.

Off to stick my swollen finger in a glass of ice water.

Just one swollen finer ILGH or your whole hand?!

that would be finger........

elsa that really is bananas about the paternity leave. It doesn't make any sense at all as I would have thought most people want it to start when the woman goes into labour. It doesn't affect us as DH runs his own company, which mainly works for one person who happens to be nearly as excited about the baby as we are and is totally happy to fit around our paternity leave plans. But I really hope this isn't the normal situation for parents as it sounds incredibly impossible to have to pick the paternity leave dates in advance.

IlGH that dress sounds lovely, perfect for a christening. Genevieve is a really pretty name. We are nowhere near finalising our name choices yet, but I want to do it by about mid-august if possible so we have time to get used to the names and be sure they are the right ones.

I am sat in waiting for my pram and car seat to arrive, its all meant to be coming 'some time between 9-5' today. So annoying really as there's loads I would like to do, but it would be such a pain to have to trek to a depot and pick it up, so I am determined to wait in for it. what's the betting it turns up at 5pm on the dot?!

I had my blood test today as wasn't well enough to do it at my 28 week appointment, very proud of myself for not getting hysterical this time . Its my one phobia and I really struggle with it. I told the nurse that I was more worried about the blood test than about giving birth and she chuckled knowingly

elsa is that even legal about the paternity leave?! I know we have to let the employer know 15 weeks before the EDD but... very on your behalf....

Yes, liking the sound of the dress ILGH . Crikey, the wedding I'm supposed to be attending at 32 weeks is now a black tie event..........argh! Does this mean my £16 black maxi dress from New Look will not do? I do have a fab diamante necklace I wore at my own wedding to glam it up... and glittery sandles...will that do?! (Or will I look like a Christmas tree )

Hermya, enjoy Wicked!

Elsa, I sailed through Tri One and Two; I'm early Oct so have been in Tri Three for a while, and it's only now that I've started to feel tired. I think it's our bodies getting us used to motherhood, with baby waking for feeds and nappy changes etc.
I'm hoping your DH's work policy is just badly worded, and they'll be more accommodating should your baby arrive early - I think they're just asking for as much notice as possible, IF possible! Dunno though!

ILGH, I took my wedding/engagement rings off a few weeks ago. I miss them. But the heat doesn't help, does it!

tiredfeet, hope your pram and carseat arrive soon, and you aren't stuck in doing nothing.

Dilly, I reckon your dress will be perfect.

Hermya, any news from your bride-to-be friend?

thanks everyone- the wording is legal as DH works for a Government department. I've found out, people just tend to let their line managers know and just go when the time comes and deal with it retrospectively by going into HR with the birth certificate. Still, someone should have changed the stupid guideline document!

Dilly, that dress sounds great. If you're a size 8 I can lend you a suitable ball dress, long, black, twist bust with pleats that fall to the floor. Very swishy and I wore it 26 weeks pregnant and my friend wore it 37 weeks pregnant. Its very forgiving and isn't even maternity! If you do want to borrow it, email me at [email protected].

AbfabT I've been in the 3rd trimester for 2 weeks and feel much better than in the second, except for the crippling sciatica last week!

Thanks Elsa, I'm afraid I haven't been a size 8 since I was in my teens (sigh) though it sounds luurvely... I have so many very pretty non-maternity long frocks which really could have done with an outing and which I can't wear now - humph. Glad there is a way round the paternity leave thing.

When do we get into the 3rd trimester? Is it week 28 (o please)?