The berries in the chopper (thread 5). All together now... clench

[CatsCantFlyFast]

For pregnant berries at any stage. Scary thought but this is the one where some babies will appear!

Hope it isn't SPD angel. I've had just bog-standard back pain since about 32 weeks, mostly when I have to stand still - I'm fine when walking or sitting. Mine seems to be right in the small of my back and I think it's down to my totally split stomach muscles no longer giving me core support! You could try a pregnancy support belt perhaps?

thunder hope you're feeling less grotty this morning.

Had a lovely morning pootling round a lake with the husband and dogs, followed by hot choc, blueberry scones and cream making the most of my last few weeks of feeling justified in being a fatty!

Thanks for the links all, struggling to open them on my limited connection but will have a proper read when I get home.

Right, going to splodge on the sofa for a whole and then go for a swim. I love holidays

Oh, could someone add me to facebook?

Jess if somebody hasn't done it already, PM me your fb/real name and I will as you as a friend on fb and then add you to the group

Tip for less pregnant berries... If you're thinking about breastfeeding (cheers autocorrect for nearly changing that to breast feeling) look for maternity tops that will be suitable for bf as well as while pregnant. I have bought lots of mat tops but none that are wrap/button/stretchy enough to breastfeed in. So now having to buy tops that will work if I'm feeding without me having to undress or pull them up over my boobs. Not that I'm complaining about a reason to buy clothes

Merk I have one of these tops www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mothercare-Maternity-Nursing-Top-Size-14-/141220007589?pt=UK_Women_s_Tops_Shirts&hash=item20e15e4ea5 from my sister and liked it so much I have another 2 I have got from ebay - worth a look. lots of other similar designs on there too if you don't mind 2nd hand.

not too bad thanks thunder, super tired at times but alright really.
Bump had been really sore at times last few days, especially late in the afternoon and gets really tight and tender. Soon lets me know if I have over done it and need a rest.
having the plastering etc done in spare room tomorrow so needed to give OH a hand taking the heavy doors off the wardrobes in there last night - was nearly in tears with frustration of not being able to get in to a good position to use a screwdriver effectively and feeling useless . OH did the heavy bit obviously and we got there in the end.
Can't wait until the work is done and we can get it painted!
Giving yoga a miss tonight as I am just too tired to drive for 30 mins (stupid traffic at this time) and wont get back till 7.40, need to do a bit more tidying so the room is empty and ready for tomorrow.

Your trip sounds lovely boom!

How did you get on at your appt poppy?

Good to hear you slept well merk. OH will be back in our bed for 1st time in months from tonight (once I find it under a pile of crap). Hoping we both sleep ok between his incessant snoring and my relentless fidgets!
Really looking forward to sharing our bed again but may feel differently at 2am when I want to smother him to stop the snoring

Oh angel I have 10 weeks left from next week! here's hoping they fly by !

merk good point on breastfeeding tops. I haven’t really got my head around this yet. The only one I spotted and liked was at Mamas and Papas, and never actually seemed to be in stock. But must have a proper look. Sort of vaguely hoping that some of my vest tops will be OK if I wear another top on top, and pull one up and one down. Does that sound like it will work??
And thanks for all the links - will bookmark and read when I’m enjoying feet up on leave

boom sooo jealous of your holiday! Scones sound lovely

thunder at checkup today, consultant says baby’s head is already engaged! (35 wks) Although it doesn’t sound like this means anything for likely delivery date, I’m hoping it means she’s a bit less likely to move totally out of position?

angelina I’ve been getting increasing back pain in the afternoons for the last 2-3 weeks. Haven’t done anything in particular about it, although walking around, sitting on a gym ball and leaning over waist-height counters/backs of chairs have all helped a bit.

foody I know what you mean about the tiredness - I’m almost back to 1st trimester tiredness now, collapsing on the sofa as soon as I get in from work, and off to bed before 9:30 most nights.

at baby falling out unexpectedly merk

Thanks for the maternity top tips!

Question - I'm sure midwife said I'd need to take a POP (pot of piss) to the scan but it doesn't mention it on my letter, just the litre of water I have to drink. Did you all take one?

I can't believe you are all finishing work or about to have a baby! I'm so so far behind and me and Sid will soon be all alone

Take a pot of pee to every appointment bunny just in case, I can't remember which ones they tested at which ones they didn't.

Just remember to throw it away if they don't ask for it!

I found one in my coat pocket 2 days later when I was in the supermarket

Bunny the only appointments I didn't need a pee sample for were my scans

Regards breast feeding tops, I had been working on the assumption of one up one down but realised I might need some jumpers/cardigans. I've ordered 2 loose cardigans that are kind of open at the front but cross over and fasten on the shoulder iyswim. Basically loose, easy access without anything being on show, which I'm hoping will make public breast feeding more comfortable.

I have just given my pelvic floor muscles a 45 minute workout in sainsbury while desperate for a pee. Have made it back to the car but daren't drive at the mo as I am so close to peeing my pants

Rule of thumb bunny - take one to every appointment! They almost always ask for it once you're there!

Getting jealous of the other girls in my twins group - all of them have bloody head-first twins! Last one had her scan today and twins cephalic. Am the only one whose babies are misbehaving. Trying not to to be but failing. I'm a bad person!

Ahh maternity clothes...Isabella Oliver keeps emailing me special deals, but I'm trying to hold off til after my next scan in apx 3 weeks before I order any. The Gap mat jeans I bought are fine; comfy but as I haven't washed them yet, no clue if they'll lose their shape. Are there any brands that you guys have found to be good quality and not silly prices? I don't mind having a smallish collection of well-made things that will make me feel good (stop laughing!!) as opposed to a ton of stuff that is cheaper but won't last...argh. Heading home in May and want to look somewhat pulled-together as I suspect my parents will be inviting everyone to a party or shower of some sort and I can't let them know what a slob I am, living in sweatpants!

Sid my Isabella Oliver leggings have gone a bit bobbly/baggy already. I've survived on mostly H&M and Asos which, whilst cheap, hasn't been too bad. However the French brand (think its called Envie de Fraise or something similar) has probably been the best stuff I've had in terms of quality etc. Seraphine for dresses

Bunny, I didn't need a pee sample for my 12 week scan but have just put my pot out in the bathroom so I remember for tomorrow morning's midwife appt!

I have had a major maternity wear buying spree in the new look sale - it's the only place near me that physically stocks maternity stuff and it was great to be able to try it on rather than trying to guess sizes online. Have spent just over 40 quid so far, which got me two dresses, one pair of jeans and three tops! I feel fairly relaxed about quality given I'll not be wearing them long. Still don't really need them yet but I can never resist a sale...

Meantime am hugging a hot water bottle to my stretching ligaments (ouch), watching OBEM on catch up and knitting a tiny jacket. Ah the joys of pregnancy!

Haha foody I've found a week old wee sample in my handbag before .

Ditto on feeling useless too, we've just moved into a partially finished house, still loads to do and I can't do anything useful until the big jobs are finished. Soooo frustrating.

FYI, Mamas and Papas have 50% off maternity/nursing clothes, and free delivery at the moment. But I haven't ordered anything from them before, so no idea what their stuff is like.

I've mainly been surviving on a few things from Next - two pairs mat jeans, one pair black work trousers and a patterned dress. My best buy, though, has been long vest tops (mantra) from Sweaty Betty. Not maternity at all, but even now go all the way over my bump, and I've worn them under lots of normal dresses/tops to cover the gap. Not cheap, but I have high hopes for continuing to wear them post-birth - they don't seem to have stretched much at all.

Good point Poppy, my yoga pants from Sweaty Betty have seen me through pregnancy, they're lovely and stretchy and can fold the top below bump or its big enough to cover my bump. They're lovely and soft and so comfy (especially when on the bloody ball) as no seams at the top to dig in. I'm practically living in them

Thanks for the pop advice ladies, I guess I'll take some just in case!

I can't bring myself to buy anything maternity yet, guess I don't wanna jinx things. Am I weird?

Ooh, thanks poppy I've just ordered a few things, I'll let you know if they're any good.

merk thunder boo to nothing exciting overnight but glad you both got some sleep for once

merk thanks for all the links

poppy great news about her being engaged, fingers crossed she'll stay that way

boom glad you're having a good holiday and still finding the time to answer all our questions!

foody totally feeling your exhaustion this week! Did your ward do anything for worldwide afternoon tea today?

bunny I would just take a pip (loving the acronym btw) to every appointment, including scans as I've still needed to give a sample

So managed to block a police chase today (by accident). Then found somewhere to pull over only to realise I'd actually been blocking the car who was being chased. Erm sorry police!

boom I can completely sympathise with the breaking down over birth situation now. after being so certain I want to be at home and dh being so supporting, his mum and sis have now scared him into wanting me at least at the mlu. we were trying to have a proper conversation about it tonight and I basically broke down and sobbed my heart out. It seems so irrational that it should bother me so much as getting her here safely is the objective, but it means so much to me to have as little intervention as possible. I hadn't realised how much until tonight.

That's three of us who have had a meltdown over birth choice (or not choice as in Booms situation). Shame

in all honesty I will prob meltdown too if I can't go to halcyon ( my super super mlu)

So it seems I have joined the 4.00 club . Managed to give myself cramp and completely woke myself up!

Aw tally that sucks, especially as it's none of his mother/sister's business where you give birth! MLU is basically a homebirth, but not at home, I don't really see the advantage of leaving your nice cosy hobbit hole to go to one someone else has designed with less access to cake at 4am unless it's attached to the consultant unit? Which probably wouldn't change transfer times anyway as per earlier posts! Oh I do hope Mr Tally comes round and you get your homebirth. Totally, totally understand how important getting the 'right' birth is x

kitty good effort with the 'nearly' foiling of the car chase, even by accident! More bananas for you if you're getting leg cramps...

merk had a very odd dream about you last night, you were staying in a lodge near ours and Mr Merk was actually your chiro, he just happened to have a scan machine with him so we scanned me and both babies were head down. Was so chuffed, even for about 5 minutes after I woke up for a wee until I realised that sadly it hadn't really happened...

Maternity clothes wise, I think I've spent about £30 altogether! Pair of jeans from new look has lasted all the way through, as have a pair of black H&M trousers.. Got given a few tops and had lots of big jumpers anyway! But them I'm hardly queen of fashion...as long as the relevant areas are covered I'm happy

poppy yay for engaged head! Bet you start waddling now..

Anyone seen thunder.....???