3rd Trimester bumps!!

[Cla]

Yeah new friends!
Kristia - I know what you mean about it suddenly dawning on you that there is a baby(babies!) at the end of this! Even though they say that most first singleton's are late, almost everyone I know has been early and now I'm thinking "oh my word, in a few weeks I'll be responsible for a real person!!!" Scary!
Really noticing the energy levels going down. Normally I'd spend an entire weekend cleaning but only managed to clear out one cupboard this w/end (albeit a very dirty one!). Have been very ruthless with our cr** - the tip have done very well out of us the last few months!
Feel pretty on top of the major things we need to get, but not the smaller things such as clothes, nappies, nursing bras etc! That answers your question Julie! I'm not sure how you know what size to get? They say you need a good fitting bra so there must be a way of getting round this. Probably best to take the advise of the saleswomen.
I started my antenatal classes 3 weeks ago. So far nothing "major" that I didn't know but this week it's pain relief drugs so will be listening to that one intently!! I went with NCT classes (private) and we have 8 classes, plus an extra one dedicated to breasfeeding, so pretty comprehensive. I didn't realise that most of our hospitals don't show you things unless you ask. I just presumed they'd show you how to bathe, change a nappy etc. but apparently not (well not at my hospital anyway!!!). Luckily we'll be doing this in the classes as I haven't a clue!!!

Went for a scan last week and they still think the baby is "small". Personally I think this is a good thing for obvious reasons, but apparently they worry about small babies. So have another scan booked for next week to monitor it. At least I'm getting regular "fixes" of seeing the little one!!! Was veryactive last week during the scan, bless!

Thanks for joining me! Thought there must be a few who were about due to move and probably wondering if they should!!!!!!

Oh no, just started raining again. This will be me walking back from work later (albeit a little fatter than this cartoon!)

Cla
xx

[kristiA]

Julie & Cla, I'm feeling anxious about being ready as well. I'm 4 weeks behind you but with twins they generally are 2-4 weeks early. And I've heard plenty of stories where they are earlier than that. So I've had a sort of panic'd feeling since Saturday when I hit 28 weeks. I even layed awake in bed last night worrying.

I plan to get everything done in the next couple of weeks, so I can then relax and not be stressed. I have 2 baby showers out of town on 2 different weekends in September and want to enjoy that month. I have a scan on Thursday and will ask many of the 3rd T questions...like birthing classes, hospital info, etc.

I looked at the nursing bras at the store yesterday and though the same thing! What size? What kind? How do they work? Pads in them? Etc..

Julie, do they automatically do the fetal fibronectin test or is there a reason they are doing that for you? I'll ask my doc about that too.

[EYCI]

The fetal fibronectin test will tell you yes/no if you are going to deliver within the next 2 weeks. They are doing this with me because I started having pre-term labor a few weeks ago. I was having 10-12 contractions per hour, all the time. With medication and bed rest, I'm down to only 2-3 per hour. They just want to keep a close eye so that if it comes back positive, they can give meds to mature the baby's lungs, and also to just be prepared for it. I'll find out my result tomorrow.

With my luck, I'll probably carry to 42 weeks and be wishing that this little one would finally come out! Told the doc today that I just can't sleep on my side with the contractions and the round ligament pain. She said as long as I prop one side of me up with a pillow, so that I'm laying on my back but at a slight angle to the side, that this is ok. Phew... I didn't get scolded!

Take care!!

--Julie

[kristiA]

Oh wow, Julie! I didn't realize you were going through all of that. That must be scary having those contractions and worrying about pre-term labor. I'd be saying "stay in there little one, just alittle longer, please". Although I generally hear good stories about babies born after 32 weeks, so with the doctor's watching you close, doing that test, and then doing the meds to mature the lungs (if needed), you shouldn't have to worry. And like you said...watch you'll go over 40 weeks anyway!

Oh, great picture on photobucket by the way!!!

[Cla]

Julie,

Hope all went well with the test. I've never heard of that one - it just amazes me how many different procedures there are. How you're meant to keep up with them all is beyond me! How do they conduct that test?

Off to antenatal tonight! Speak soon!

Cla
xx

[EYCI]

My test result came back negative, which means there is a very slim chance of me delivering in the next 2 weeks. Yippee! The doc performs the test the same way as a pap smear is done. Not fun! But, she's already down there anyway checking to make sure that I am not dilated at all, so it really isn't that big of a deal. Every week she measures my belly with a tape measure. Right now I am measuring one week behind. But, I am carrying more across my belly than up and down so she said not to worry.

Can any of you tell what position your babes are in? I know mine is going across me based on what I'm feeling, but I can't tell which is the head and which is the rear. Even the doc couldn't tell. I'm not concerned (yet) since it still has a few weeks to spin around and straighten out, but I'm just wondering if you can tell when it is finally head down?

Cla - how was the class?

--Julie

[kristiA]

Yeah, good news Julie! Like you said, it's a BFN that you actually are happy about! So that will get you at least over 34 weeks, which would be great!

I suppose I'm not a good one to answer the question about the baby's position since I have twins. Since week 16 Baby A has been head down and Baby B has been breech. They don't think they will flip because there's not enough room to move about. I can feel Baby B's head poking out because that's just below my right breast. And I can feel Baby A's kicking more because his feet are below my left breast.

Next scan on Thursday for me!!

[Cla]

Hi all!

Julie - great news about the test!
Re: position - at my last scan the head was down but to the side, ass at the side and legs and arms waving around in the middle!!!! Like you say not too concerned just yet, although have been trying to spend the evenings sat on a birthing ball instead of laying back on the settee as apparently this helps? The lady who did my scan said it is near on impossible half the time to tell the difference between the head and the bum just by touch!!!!

Antenatal was v.interesting. We covered induction, which I have to say I didn't know that much about. Also common drugs available during labour (although leaving Epidural for next week!) and all about 2nd stage labour. The scariest part of the evening though was finding out the reason why one couple wasn't there was cause she'd had the baby that morning. She was only due a few days before me and was the smallest of us all!! I thought she'd be the last one not the first! and I know they hadn't got ANY of their nursery/pram/car seat etc. sorted. Not that I'm trying to freak anyone out, but I have just made a list of the bits and bobs we still need and plan to get them asap!!!!

Is the baby's movements starting to freak anyone else out? I used to find them comforting and sweet but at the moment I'm getting quite spooked by them. I swear s/he is trying to get out of my belly button and sometimes the movements are so violent that I think my belly's going to burst! I know it's not but my imagination is running wild!!!!!!

Cla
xx

[sue e]

Hi all,

thought i would post over here now, since everything still ok. I had a growth scan today and 'bubble' is doing fine. I got the results of my diabetes test and have to repeat it, they were not happy with the 1st result, also my blood pressure is up so the hospital are sending the community midwife out to me on Friday to check it. Chance are it will be fine, it has fluctuated quite a bit throughout the pregnancy. I must admit i did get a little worried when they said they will send the m/w out, as i go back in 2 weeks for another growth scan, so thought they would check it then, better safe than sorry.

Cla - i can just imagine your impatient child trying to push its way out and the look on your face!!!! Mine is quite mild and only occassionally can i see my belly move, i cant wait for DH to see it.

Kristi - how are things? I wonder how mel is, since i dont think she has posted in a few days, probably busy shopping.

Julie - really pleased that the test came back negative for you, must be a bit of a relief. Sorry i cant help with the positioning.

love

sue xx

[charlie77]

Hi Cla, i know exactly what you mean about the bursting feeling,as my belly button has pushed right out and it feels like kieran is trying to use it as an escape route, this week he seems much more violent and the pressure he creates is something eles, it really takes your breath away.
Take care
charlie

[EYCI]

Hi Ladies,

I too feel like the little one is trying to burst it's way out any way possible. It is almost violent at times, as you described it Cla. The babe is most active from about 9:30-10:30 at night. As I'm lying in bed, DH will put his hand on my belly to feel all the action. He just laughs at how crazy it is and can't believe I can sleep through it, which I can't.

Charlie - what a lovely picture of you and Richard. And, although this shouldn't seem strange, you can really see a resemblance between you guys and the 4D scan you posted of your babe. How exciting!

kristiA - Do you think you'll have to have a C-section since on of yours is breech? Or is it too early to be thinking of that?

Sue E - I hope everything checks out ok with the repeat diabetes test and with your blood pressure. Are they doing the growth scan because your babe is small? Or is that standard?

--Julie

[kristiA]

My scan this AM was good, although short. The doctor did it and said he prefers a "professional" to do it. So I go back again in 2 weeks. All looked well though and the babies slept through the whole thing.

Baby B is still breech and it's head is in the exact spot that I keep feeling it poke out of my stomach. I guess they don't have much room in there to move with two of them.

Julie, since Baby A is head down I can try to give birth to Baby A naturally (Baby A is the one that is closest to the cervix and comes out first). Then docs will try to flip baby B (who is breech) or go in with their hands and pull it out by it's feet. And if neither works, then they do a C- on Baby B. I've heard from 3 people now that had done it and it worked. So I'll give that a try. (Recovering from both if it doesn't work doesn't sound like much fun though!)

Sue, hope your re-tests come out good! Yeah, we haven't heard from Mel in a bit...hope she's ok!

Cla, I'm the same as you...making lists of all things I need to buy & get done. I'm in a big preparation mode right now!

[bella-s]

Hi all - just thought I would pop in and make my first post on the 3rd Tri thread. I can't believe it - when I first came over to the pregnant side, I thought this was the cool girl's section...like when you start school. But, here we are....

Thanks to all that gave me some words of encouragement re the open forum on my belly size. It made me cry (ha...the hormones again!) reading them all. I think I am ready to deal wth it, but have still decided not to have any social event for my 30th this weekend - not quite ready to be the centre of attention. I figure I will get a lot of attention at my baby shower, so will just leave it to then.

Is everyone on a countdown to finishing work? I am taking some leave before the baby, so finish work in 6 weeks. And not a moment too soon - have been so busy, working 14+ hour days.

Hope all is well.

Bella.

[gregmbarry]

Hi everyone!

It sounds like we've all got our different issues and questions...but overall we're all doing well growing these miracle babies!!

I just wanted to pop in and say hi but also to put my two cents in about nursing bras. I've heard from friends that once your milk comes in your boobs become MUCH larger. And for alot of women this happens AFTER you've given birth. So, my friends tell me not to buy nursing bras until after because there is no way to know how big you'll actually get. For now I've purchased one that fits me now - and I'll send mom to buy me bigger ones once the milk comes in afterwards.

[EYCI]

Good advice on the nursing bras. I thought I might start out using those nursing tank tops and then get the bras after the "final size" has been established. I think the tank tops would offer a little more size flexibility than the bras.

Anyone else working all the way to the end? I would LOVE to stop working now, but just can't afford to without worrying about job security since I plan to take 3 months off afterward. I'm glad that I'm only at the office half days and working from home the other half. That way I can take a nice long snooze at lunch time when I get home.

--Julie