Fantastic 40+ Mums To Be

[10000fireflies]

A lovely shiney new thread for us to keep chatting on.

Hb Oh my goodness. Feel very excited for you. Come on cervix - do your stuff.

VQ how you coping? This heat must be a bit much with a cast on.

I have a stinking cold - any advice on if I can take anything other than bloody parecetomol the combo of stinking cold and heat is pretty tiresome.

Fjord I may pack a bag and join you at the cabin - you will still be outnumbered but together we are stronger.

Hope the Wooster house is not too miserable with the pox.

Exexe you have just depressed me with your journey stories - off to the opening ceremony rehearsal tonight - dreading the journey - it will be at rush hour and I can hardly breathe already. Dreading it!

Best go do some work - naughty midget.

Fjord can I come too? sounds amazing!

VQ and Fjord boo for the DHs not behaving themselves when you need them to. Luckily mine is being a dream atm ( although isn't always!) as I don't think I could take it in this heat... Been at hospital a lot again with bp and he's been great. Sorry, not boasting, just feeling very relieved to have him on good form

exexe I really sympathise re the building site - I would find that really stressful and think you sound so calm about it all - obv the best attitude to take

midgetm not sure there's much else you can do re a cold, except drink lots of water which you are prob doing anyway (hurray for half hourly toilet trips!)

hpbp wow exciting! everything is coming together ... does everyone stay in hospital that long in France? sounds like you will at least have a break and chance to get back on your feet

.... well we got the house! and just had to let it go as it turned out there is a big problem with nighttime noise that we hadn't noticed on daytime visits, so back to the drawing board. Turns out what we thought was a church is a big, bad nightclub. I'm desperate to sign up for something in the next week, as it will mean we can move by 1st september when I'll be 7 months. I'm thinking it may be crazy to move 1st October at 8 months which is our other option with our renting contract (can't afford to cover two places) what do you think? Just house hunting managed to push up my BP higher than I want it, so I'm thinking actual moving will be oh so much worse. Just want to be settled before baby comes! Blimy she's doing acrobatics today - heat clearly isn't bothering her.

Off to sit in the garden under a shady tree with a big glass of juice x

Bytheseaside Bugger!

Fjord, I will come with you on your next trip to the cabin. The heat in Paris is unbearable, 32C tomorrow and not even the slightest breeze...
Exexe, hope your commute will be easier, I always have a spray for my face and water in my bag. Hope the building works go smoothly
Midget, my last cold was last week, runny nose and coughing, I can only think about lots of water and rest to get over it quickly, I left the marital bed for a week to have proper night sleep for a week and felt much better within days.... DH snores like a boat horn when he is tired....
Seaside, good thing you found out about the nightclub before commiting further and losing time. I guess you can always move when pg of 8 months, it will depend on how much work need to be done in the new place... Good luck

It seems that the mucus plug has started melting... So my body knows where I stand. Not a lot of contractions though. But less foetal movement yesterday so at 0.40 this morning I had the TV on with a cold Coke, finally went to bed at 1.20 when baby was back on kicking mode again....

On my way to the Olympic park from Highbury to Stratford. I think I may be melting. There are people wearing cardigans, I may be pregnant but they are insane...

Just popping in quickly...had my growth scan today, everything fine and my bp has dropped to normal again but bubs is measuring 33 weeks with me only being 30 weeks tomorrow. Apparently my GTT results were below diabetes level but longer term results were showing me as possibly borderline hence the extra GTT - I've been given stuff totest my blood sugars 4 times a day for the next few weeks to give them a better idea...I have to admit to being a bit concerned about the unknown

hope everyone is doi g well and those in the extreme heat especially...thankfully Scotland is getting bugger all heat and just loads of rain!

Hey Ladies

The sun is shining and I got as much sleep as a vampire last night. Good job I am holiday this week and can relax a bit. It was a vicious cycle last night. dry mouth, drink water, wake up hot, go for a wee, move bump to try and get comfortable and the cycle begins. Patner was a star checking every time if I was ok when I woke up. Bet he would love to slip me a sleeping tablet or two hahaha.

Oooh shiny - Hope the blood tests show positive results. When will they tell ya whats next. Oh jealous of your rain.

Midgetm - Cardigans in London bloody hell they must be from Dubai or somewhere in the middle east to think that it is cooler. Are you watching any of the games ?

Hpbp - Not long to go now. The heat must be unbearable. Hope the hospital has air con for you. If not your patner will have to fan you like an Egyptian princess.

exex - Bless ya London trains at the best of times are hot, never mind this week, I hope everyone sees you and makes you a seat. Hope the extension goes well. Nothing is worse when you are tired and hot then mess. I am terrible if the hall carpet has any fluff on I have to vac it. Patner thinks I am mental but it puts my little bit of ocd back in its box.

Bythesea - Big bugger about the house. Good job you found out now through would have been a pain in arse later. Doesnt help you have to go back to the drawing board though.

VQ - Hope the leg pain has eased for you. My friend broke her foot the other week while traning for a 400 mile bike ride and she is in lots of pain, when I told about you she felt for you being pregnant at the same time.

Fjord - We are scan twins!!! It will be my 5th as well. What sort of stuff do they do ?

Wooster- Hows the chicken pox out break going. I remember when I had it. i was 5 living in Hong Kong and it was hot and humid and lord it was horrible so speedy recovery for all

Dont go back to work till the 6th August which is lovely. have been to London to the Harry Potter experience which was brillant. Went to see a friend and partner drove the 3 hours home while we had a nice chat on the way home. Yesterday went to mother care and finally bought the pram and carry cot. Due to arrive today so I am waitng watching films and chilling out oh and eating biscuits. My baby will come out addicted to Borbon biscuits. Went to view our first nursery today. People seemed nice and friendly. Poor lady had to list to me firing off a thousand and one questions. will ring to view others. Was over whelmed with guilt at the thought of leaving him anywhere for 5 days a week. May rethink my full time position but I know I would lose my managers role and the pay that goes with it. The role does not bother me but the pay is halfed when you step down which is a shit. Still time to think about it.

Thanks to all for the sympathy for our Pox, but it turns out to be a false alarm. DS has Non-Specific-Viral-Rash, which basically means a cough, grumpy and spotty but could be a LOT worse. ValiumQueen, I think I may be your mini-me... DS has minor version of pox, I have fallen off the doorstep and ruined my knee to the tune of 7 stitches so am a bit incapacitated for a week or so. I am basically copying your life in a minor key so here's wishing you a MASSIVE lottery win!!

Best buy a ticket then! Sorry to hear about your knee mrsW hope you and DS are soon better.

littlered I am thinking seriously about what to do about work. In relation to putting your child in nursery, it does become easier, especially when they clearly love it, and are keen to go. I think there are a lot of positives to nursery, especially when there are no siblings. I happily put my two in (happily most of the time) it is hard when they are unwell though as getting time off can be tricky. I have quite liked the fact that once the kids are in nursery, I can be 'me' again, and have adult conversation, lunch in peace, work in a challenging environment, knowing they are cared for and having fun.

With a third on the way I just cannot see how I can work full time and afford full time childcare. Even though DD1 is at school, there are still considerable costs, plus the holidays to cover. I am hoping my employer will let me work from 9-2.30 mon-fri. I could then collect them all after school thus saving 45 hours childcare. I need to talk to the nursery to see if they can have my two youngest from 8.45 to 3.15. Usually they only let people have am, pm, or full days. I cannot afford that. I have been a good customer, so hopefully they will help, if not I will need to find a CM which I really do not want to do. I am trying to work out how to be self employed and work from home, but DH gets paid peanuts, and we have a mortgage.

Shiny Sounds at least some reassurance from the GTT, good you haven't got it yet, hopefully the baby will slow the fuck down and not be too big (bearing in mind they have to come out and all)

Litttlered We've missed you - welcome back. So jealous of your holiday. I am saving all mine so I can take cash instead and it is killing me! I have 22 days left just sitting there winking at me but as DH not working the money comes first. I second what VQ says. If you find the right nursery leaving them is not so bad - I actually enjoyed going back in the end - I managed to string it out till DD was over a year though. After I got my feet under the table at work, I compressed my hours which was a real help - meant less childcare costs and 3 days of feeling like I could relax and spend time with her. Its a tough one though. As always, I am impressed with people buying stuff. My booty so far is one short baby grow. Best get a wiggle on. I have a few tickets for the Olympics, the dress rehearsal on Wednesday has got me excited - I think it is going to be brilliant - as long as it doesn't piss down the while time.

VQ no way I could afford childcare for 2, again - really tough and needs so much flexibility. Luckily DD will be at school so I will be making the most of flexible working, favors from friends and after school clubs.

Mossies kept me awake since the wee small hours so knackered today. London is nice and cool today which is typical as I have the day off. DH in the opening ceremony tonight so a big night in the Midget House, going to let DD stay up late to she her Dad she may not actually spot him but still. I may fall sleep before she does at this rate. Big wave to all.

There is an after school club in my village, which is called the **after school club, but it does not pick up from our school. In order for her to go, I would have to pay £100 a month in taxis on top of the cost of the club, even though it is 5 mins away, and put a 5yo in a taxi on her own. Not doing that! either that or change schools. I asked the school for help with finding after school care, and they said their responsibility ended at 3pm so they could not help. I am seriously considering setting up something myself.

Also no way I would put DD in a taxi - no way at all. Arse.

Thank you midget I have often wondered if I was being PFB about her. I know someone who puts her 2yo in a taxi to nursery, or at least SS do!

Not precious at all. Taxi drivers may be CRB checked but that means nothing. I wouldn't want a stranger with no childcare be with my DD on their own. Not a chance in hell!

VQ, Midget, I am totally with you, my kid is either with me or my DH, or my Mum or his grand parents, or nursery staff. I would certainly not put him in a cab on his own, not in a million years, not even for free.

cervix was dilated by 2cm on Thursday, souple but still long, had a sweep this morning, contractions a bit stronger than usual... Expecting to go to clinic anytime tonight.... Wish me luck. I will be back soon.
Thinking of all of you.
VQ hope your pain will ease soon and the fracture is on the mend
LRM yes nursery gives guilt, but if you find the one than isright for your little angel, you will feel uh better. Take your time finding the one you feel 200% comfortable with.

Hpbp good luck honey x looking forward to hearing all about it, and your new little one x x. (a tad jealous)

hpbp good luck! So exciting. How was the sweep?
I'm beginning to worry about childcare too - I know I just won't want us to leave her until she is 10! Or perhaps we will by then ... Can't imagine it though, although like everyone else it's unlikely that we will have that much choice. I'm going to take a year mat leave if we can make the money work - which I think we can - then we'll see I guess. May at that point try to move (again!) to cheaper area so we can maybe afford one of us not to work for a bit longer - don't mind missing hols, clothes etc etc as long as we can eat, but I expect I'm being unrealistic.

My BP is still a bit all over the place - shouldn't be really as I'm on tabs. Midwives are really good at monitoring me regularly (urine, swelling etc all fine), they say it's too high, but don't do anything re sorting medication out - I think I need to push for a chat with my consultant as I don't think it can be doing any good. I'm not due to see her until September otherwise, which seems too late in circs.

Still no home - trying not to panic as we've given our notice already here. Come on - someone move out of a lovely house in next few weeks so that we can have it!

Have bought 1st pack of newborn vests - so soft and lovely. I'm leaving them out so that I'm accustomed to the sight of baby stuff in the house and I don't lose my nerve again.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend. Was your DH actually in the opening ceremony midgetm? I thought it was great! Not usually my kind of thing at all, but we stayed up and really got into the olympic spirit Mrs W sorry youhave been in the wars

Hbpb good luck!

LRM Good shopping! I really feel for you with your work situation. You have a lot to think about. I stepped down from a supervisor role so I could work part time when I had ds1. It's a job in finance in the city so to be honest, I was more than happy to not deal with the stress and hrs but my pay was reduced by more than half. I'm much happier though.

I'm totally with you guys about taxis and children. I didn't even want my ds at the age of 6 being picked up by a minibus for an off site after school club on the days I worked. There is no way I'd have considered a taxi!

Midget the opening ceremony was fab (apart from that decrepit old crooner at the end ) What events are you seeing? I so wanted tickets but managed to get none even though we applied for loads a couple of times.

VQ I hope you get your reduced hrs. Its so hard trying to find and get the right balance of working hrs.

Bythesea Aah to your baby vests! Thats all I've bought too - a pack of baby vests and baby gros in pink :)
I hope you find somewhere to live soon! try not to stress and I'm sure something will work out.

Well the building work is going very well. I have to say that I think I'm lucky to have v good builders. I've not had to be stressed about much. They keep telling me not to worry and have emptied and moved cupboards/units for me! I had visions of having to box stuff up and move them into different rooms etc but I've not needed to deal with any of that.
They have 4 guys here most days and things have come along v quickly.

We've also had a few lovely days out with the kids during the holidys. A tip for all you new mums for the future - collect tesco clubcard vouchers for days out with kids in the summer holidays. Its been great for a fre day out to Legoland and I have more vouchers to use up at local zoos etc.

Hope you're all having a good weekend. Off to Wickes today!

Hi everyone

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

On Friday, my dad finally got some sort of diagnosis after weeks of endless tests, during which time he has got weaker and weaker and now has a chest infection. There was obviously something there, but nothing obvious was showing up with all the endoscopies/colonoscopies he was having. Turns out there is a massive tumour of the connective tissue, which is pressing on the digestive organs from the outside. It is not known whether it is cancerous or not as it is inoperable anyway and he now has limited time left to live. I think the plan is to stabilise him so that he can start eating again (he needs a stent fitted) and then they hope to discharge him and he will be cared for at home. I am sure he is desperate to get home as he lives out in the sticks on a beautiful stretch of coastline and there are apparently very good local healthcare services in the area, so staying at home should be feasible.

DP is driving me up to the hospital on friday to see him and hope to be able to tell him about the baby as well. However, it's a nearly-1,000 mile round trip in the car, and to top it all, I am having the amnio on Thursday. I have taken advice about travelling and apparently there shouldn't be any issues with that. Oh, and it's DP's birthday on Saturday so I think the best plan is to book into a nice hotel up there and try and have some sort of nice time when we aren't at the hospital.

Apologies for long depressing message - I feel quite accepting of everything, have shed quite a few tears but will just get on with things now and put on a brave face at the hospital. Meanwhile, I am finding that shopping and watching the olympics are quite good distractions.

HPBP - good luck!!

Valium - hope you are recovering well and that DP is helping you out a bit more now - men can be utter shits at times

eagle at least you know the score now with your Dad, and hopefully they can keep him comfortable. Sorry it was not better news x your plan for staying overnight sounds good. Hopefully the amnio will bring good news x

exexe glad the builders are being good. I live in Scotland and find there is very little I can spend my Tesco points on without driving hundreds of miles.

DH is still a lazy twat, but I am feeling a bit better, thank you x

Eagleray - Sorry to hear about your dad, hope he is comfortable honey. Thinking of you for your amnio.

Hpbp - Good luck and cant wait to hear your tale of excitment of your little un.

Exexe- Work wise it would be great to do only 3 or even 4 days but my manager is rubbish and would not let me job share for a million quid, However as she is deperate to progress be lucky if she will even be in store next year so will keep options open and review in the new year.

Got a letter yesterday from the hospital saying I have a urine infection !!! Lovely. They want me to provide another sample, but only work monday to friday . Got another 2 nurseries to view nexct week. Patner has also looked at child minders in our area. Any thoughts ladies plus and minus for both so I can get a balanced view.
Just done another run to Ikea and Mamas and Papas and pleased to say the list of items to buy is complete except for a nursing bra and nightie for hospital. So chuffed got it all sorted so soon so my mat leave will involve relaxing and packing hospital bag but more then likely to pack it next week.
I am 30 + 3 and was woken up last night with shocking stretching pains kept me up for ages. Has anyone else had these?

Evening all,

VQ I was very much at DH being a lazy twat. Not the actual twatishness itself but the description.

Eagle Huge hug coming your way. Too much going on but you sound like you are coping pretty well under the circumstances. Got everything crossed for Thursday for you.

LRM Get back in as soon as you can. UTI can go from nothing to contractions and big pain so get ye back and pee in a bottle.

Exexe We've been very lucky with tickets, got mens gymnastics, 3 lots of athletics, handball, archery and the closing ceremony. Was meant to go to archery at Lords today but as I still have a cold I have given it a miss - didn;t fancy getting soaked. Also had swimming but this clashes with a scan so best be a decent mummy and blow out the swimming. We applied for a lot on the basis that we knew we wouldn't get them all. Know what you mean about Macca - is he really the best we have to offer? Sounds like you are indeed very lucky with your builders - a good tradesman is worth his weight in gold.

HP hows that cervix coming on? Hope it had done its stuff and you will be back here soon to tell us all about it.

Bytheseaside DH was indeed in the ceremony - in the Pandemonium section where they forged the rings. He loved it. I am jealous - such a chance to be involved in something so unforgettable. But the hours he put in were ridiculous - I have barely seen him all summer. Memories that will stay with him forever though. I would push to speak to a consultant if you are worried about your BP. but them I am a hypochondriac

I have been having really bad nosebleeds and cant help but get paranoid that it may be because of my BP and PE is coming back. Glad I have a consultants appointment this week. Once bitten, twice shy. Sure it is all ok and my consultant is great so she will sort me out. Right best go - DH just got back from Archery and is wet to his pants. Very glad I didn't go!

Have a lovely evening everyone.

Perhaps I should not call him a twat. Twats after all are very useful. I used to call my ex a clit because he was too small to be a twat!