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

[nymphadora]

And off we go again

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ah x-post!

ABFab, the Amby nest. I want one. Did you get the raw cotton one? I think I want white.

abfab I know which way round the baby is because I can feel its feet kicking against my ribs! Seriously though, the strongest kicks you feel will be the feet and then you may have a bulge where the head is or feel lighter pushes there (punches, basically). Apparently when things get a bit more squished you can sometimes see the outline of a foot kicking (like an alien!). That will really freak my dh out!!

Sympathies for all those struggling to sleep. I've heard that melon is good for indigestion type problems in pg and it seems to be helping me at the moment. Might be worth a try?

Had my scan yesterday and sproglet is still growing well and has plenty of fluid around it. The fibroids are causing no problems at the moment. Unfortunately the consultant thought she may have seen cysts on the baby's kidneys so I have to see a specialist in 2 weeks time to check it out. Does anybody know anything about this or had any similar experiences in previous pgs? I know thee's a good chance they will vanish or cause no problems, but there's also some more serious conditions associated with fetal cysts. (worried emoticon)

shieldbug, sorry you are worrying about the cysts. DS3 had a chorionic plexus cyst (in the brain) at his 20 week anomaly scan and I was freaked out. However, these soft markers are becoming more common to see as scanning technology improves, so my consultant said and, if no other "problems" are detected - and my sonographer spent a lot of time looking for other indicators but found none - then the likelihood of it being a serious issue decreases. And of course, DS3 is just fine. I hope that helps but know you worry anyway - that's the job. Fingers crossed all is well and the specialist will reassure you.

Thanks ILGH that helps to know.

Ooh Shieldbug sorry to hear about the cysts. I don't have any experience to share I'm afraid. I know it's difficult but try not to worry until you know what the problem is. It could easily be nothing. I have a cyst on one of my kidneys which has been found during this pregnancy. Although I have to have it checked out after the birth it doesn't seem to be a worry. Do you know how much will the specialist be able to tell from a scan, or will you have to wait until after the birth for more information?

AbFab Like Shieldbug I know which way round the baby is because of the midwife and additional scans that I've been having. At the top of my bump to one side I can sometimes feel something large and bony - as I know she is head down, it must be the bottom! On one side I sometimes get feet - smaller, hard and bony and on the other side much the same which I deduce must be elbows! On the 4d scan that I had she was constantly putting her hands in her mouth and playing with her face so I know what those movements feel like. For me they are low, towards and in my pelvis and like ripples.

samB that's how bad my memory is from reading post to writing one! Flip flops are for shower if not that clean. I'll be wearing them as slippers though as slippers/socks make me too hot.

Morning!

OK - swollen ankles - check! I have them most of the time though BP up to now has been fine. Really hate them....

Wow - I don't think I realised how much stuff we'd need for the hospital! I think I am in denial about having to be there at all.... I just want to be there a few hours to do the birth bit of labour then clean up and come home! Don't make me stay!

Shieldbug sorry about the cysts - bet they turn out to be fine/disappear. Anyway, you are seeing a specialist and that's the important thing - doing all you can for LO. My friend's niece has a kidney that doesn't work at all, spotted on an antenatal scan, but she is fine. They will remove it eventually but it's going to be fine in the end, no drama.... This is the worst bit - when it's not clear what's going on. Thinking of you as I know how hard it is not to worry....
xx

Floozie my ankles haven't been swollen yet but my fingers have a few times- I have noticed that it happens when I am too hot.

nymph I am totally with you on the baby brain. My memory is shocking but on the bright side no one relies on me to remember anyting anymore

Sam your list is pretty much the same as mine. I have had to buy a bag which arrived this morning so I can get packing now. I think nighties are the only things I have left to buy- which is annoying as they will probably end up in the bin afterwards anyway.

Shieldbug good tip on melon- I found that it really helped with morning sickness in the begining as well. Someone we know was debating naming their daughter plum and my dad mentioned naming ours melon- everyone else was laughing but I found myself thinking mmmm I quite like that!!
Sorry to hear about your LOs kidneys. My nephew was born with a blockage in his- it was first detected at the scan. They hoped to clear it but it now looks like they are operating- he is 16 weeks old. Not trying to scare you at all the doctors are so relaxed about the routine operation and say he will be in and out in no time. I know it is not the same thing but just trying to reassure you that they will be able to sort it out.

Anyway I have gone on long enough.

I was just thinking that when we start our new thread it will be The One. Some babies will be born during it. Although maybe not mine. But still. That makes it all a bit real doesn't it?!!

Another indigestion tip - I can't decide how well it works - almonds... obviously plain ones, not salty. And they're really nutritious...

Mmm...thing I need to buy a bigger bag for the hospital DH has a glorious new one that I bought him for his birthday but what if I get gunk on it?!

Dilly - once I started to actually pack the stuff I realised that it was either a massive suitcase or two bags . So, I am taking a birth bag and an post natal bag. Obviously there is a cross over with some of the stuff but both bags will be there with me anyway. The baby has a little suitcase all of her own. It makes me cry when I see it sitting there waiting for her . I'd borrow DH's bag. Keep it well out of the way and it will be gunk free. In all honesty I've never seen any gunk in my labour experiences, although I have been told there was loads of it by others . I guess I was preoccupied with other things!

Oh Sam12 I bought two nighties from M&S for £15. I am sure you can buy cheaper but they are quite nice and should they survive the experience I'd wear them again, especially when I am larger than my usual size. I haven't bought anything else for the actual labour part.

SamB123 That's so cute about the baby's suitcase, that would make me cry too! Ok, I have to get with it, I don't have any nighties so ...well, I'll think of something. I have an old shirt of DH's... that should do. And the hospital really is only down the road so DH can pop home for stuff if necessary...that may be why I'm all relaxed about it .

SamB Thanks I had not looked in M&S plus I have some gift vouchers for there so might pop in. Everywhere seems to have really light colours and I want dark so the gunk isn't too obvious!!
We live quite far from the hospital and DH can't drive so we need to make sure that we remember to take everything with us.

ooh yeah - I saw a very glam, very long black nightie in M&S yesterday - be nice for back at home and I think you could bf in it ok. I kind of think if people come round and I'm in my pjs then that nightie would be just fine.

SamB what a scary thought about our next thread! Scary but cool.

Thanks for comments about cysts- any more experiences, please let me know. I am feeling a bit calmer about it all and know that the likelihood is that everything will be ok, but the next 2 weeks are still going to go very slowly before I get any answers. It's good to have this thread for support. I really appreciate it.

I got some gorgeous pj's from hot milk which are really comfy too but they are too nice and expensive for d day! so will have a look in M & S for night gowns.

Shieldbug I'm sorry to hear about the cysts but I'm positive the others are right, the sophistication of today's equipment means we see scary stuff that more often than not amounts to nothing. In any event, if there is an issue that requires treatment, I'm sure they have good methods for tackling it and I hope you don't worry too much (not easy I know) x x

On a more frivolous note, we've just received the Cosatto cotbed and dresser in Walnut from Kiddisave. I stupidly believed the product description on the website that said walnut when it is in fact knotty pine sprayed rather rubbishly with an American Walnut red stain. So the hope I had of it matching my walnut doors was panned. To be fair the Cosatto website says walnut finish but the kiddisave one definitely says walnut. Working on the fact that this was an inaccurate description, I've asked to swap it for the same bed thats white. It says oak trim so I've asked for clarification that the trim is indeed a pine trim stained to attempt to look oak. Really, if they want to make pine look like another wood, then they shouldn't pick knotty pine as it stands out like a sore thumb. Walnut's not that knotty!

So, top tip, check the product description on the manufacturer's website rather than believing Kiddisave if you decide to buy anything from them. I'm hoping not to get charged the £25 return fee....otherwise they're going to be dealing with a hormonal pregnant lady....

Shieldbug I'm sorry to hear about the cysts, I hope they get you sorted soon.

Elsa I hope that the new cot looks better.

Sam Awww that tiny suitcase sounds lovely, I've not even ventured into packing yet. I suppose I should at some point.

I've not even started packing for our weekend away yet!

Been to look at car seats in Halfords but they only had one 0 one so glad it wasn't a special trip there

Hello all,
Thank you elsa and everyone for the heartburn relief remedies - I will try them all as I suffer every night. grr!

33 weeks now and DS was born at 34 so am on pins now waiting! We have decided to go on hols next week for a week though in the hope that it take my mind off it all. We are gong to Tenby and I made sure of the hospital nearby and the route to it :)

Also now have the joy of swollen ankles, carpel tunnel syndrome in both hands and spd to add to my list of complaints. Ho hum, its not for long now. My last pregnancy went without a hitch until the last minute too.

Now, should I take my hospital bag (packed 3 weeks ago) with me on hols or would that be chancing fate??!!

Shieldbug I hope you get good news with the cysts.

ILGH have a good holiday.

SamB thanks for the list.

Dontstopmenow is it tempting fate to go without it? You have my sympathy and empathy: ds was born at 31+4, which is a week next Tuesday equivalent and I'm getting VERY twitchy as the date draws nearer. Funnily enough we'll probably be away too and I'm also going to make sure we're near a Scbu-enabled hospital!

I have tried to start getting organised today and got my Moses basket out of the attic to have a look at it. It's too frayed to use safely so we'll have to get or borrow another. A friend of mine said this afternoon that she'd just moved her 5 month old into her own room, and i asked if she had one we could borrow or buy. Turns out she'd borrowed hers from another friend who I think I've met once or twice and has just given it back so she's going to ask if I can have a loan too. Fingers crossed. I went round a different friend's this afternoon and tried putting ds in her double buggy which is a phil and teds the same as I was hoping to get, but had my fears that ds would be too big for it confirmed. Oh dear, totally back to the drawing board now. I fear I'm going to have to get a side by side which I really wanted to avoid.

I had a letter from the hospital saying after my last blood test my ferretin levels are too low, so back on the iron tablets for me. That's an alternative explanation as to why I've been getting headaches, bit of a relief after the swollen ankles yesterday. They're ok today, it was just sitting at my desk for too long I guess.

ILGH, we got the raw 'colour'! Haven't actually got it up yet, but was lovely in the shop, and perfect for us. Get one!!! :)
Enjoy Cornwall!

I am sure I am getting equally strong and equally tickly/light movement both at the top of my ribcage, and then at the base of my womb, so either my baby is still somersaulting, or I am just clueless! Clueless, hopefully, though I should have a little time before I start to fret about baby's position! Got m/w appointment on Monday, maybe she'll be able to tell.

Felt some really good movement this evening - was doing one of my antenatal Yoga classes and the instructor was talking about labour positions at the end, and baby started moving, as if they knew they were being discussed! :)

Elsa, sorry to hear about the pine when you expect walnut. Grr, hate that! I'm after a tallboy/chest of drawers, though DH thinks I should curb my furniture obsession and we'll somehow make do - but I feel our drawers are overflowing as it is. Admittedly, there is pretty much no room for any more furniture. Seen a nice one on eBay, but you can't always tell from a photo, can you!

I've mostly packed MY bag - have a small wheelie suitcase. Like SamB, baby has their own bag, which is provisionally storing the baby outfits (see 'lack of suitable drawer storage' above) but they are yet to be washed, so not ready there yet (but if I go into labour now, they'd be too big for the preemie baby anyway, so no major rush).

I'm 33 and a half weeks along now, still feeling a bit surreal.

Floozie Have you looked at the Britax B-Dual or an Icandy Pear or alternatively you can get an icandy apple and upgrade it to a pear.