Lochie

yes I would up the piriton doseage maybe at night, it might help you sleep? I wouldn't worry about taking it I have spent alot of my pregnancy on antihistamines for vomiting and they have been ok, no problems. I reckon you should really try and find something in the day that gives you relief so at least you have that to look forward to - have you thought about swimming? I can't think of anything nicer than being in a lovely cool pool when you want to scratch your skin off!

hi pickle, I had OC with my first child. It was diagnosed really late at about 39 weeks so instead of being induced I was just monitored at home with trips up to hospital to check fetal movements and I also had to keep a daily kick chart(stressful!) - I don't think I was a severe case and was told to just take piriton . I had never heard of OC at the time and my midwife only took some blood to test because I had quite severe scratches across my stomach from itching at night. I had been rubbing my palms on carpets/sofas/anything textured religiously for a few months before that though - you don't think of it at the time as being anything significant and I thought it was just some weird preggo quirk. Actually when I was seen at hospital (not Kings) with it they were asking all sorts of questions about my drinking habits which is quite interesting. I think OC is still seen as being quite rare (is it 1% or something?) but a lady next to me at work actually had it at the same time as me. I'm now 29 weeks pregnant with second child and know its highly likely i'll get it again. I do remember the dreadful dreadful night time itching and that is the last thing you need or want when you need to be getting some rest. When I had it it was summer so i'd put a fan on and that kind of helped but now its winter and so cold so that is not really an option! I did end up sleeping in a seperate bed to my husband as I felt so guilty about keeping him awake with my itching and also to be honest I think the thought of having anyone around you whilst you are itching makes it even worse. The one thing I did do that might help (because I found it a bit freaky that I could itch my stomach so much in my sleep without waking) was put something over my hands when I went to bed - at the time it was a dressing gown, but might make more sense to put socks on your hands? Also obviously keep nails short. During an attack maybe get a cool cloth to sooth area.... all really obvious and am sure you are doing all this. Good luck and remember its not long now (though am sure every itchy minute is hell)

Hi Ole - we have just gone through this phase ourselves so feel your pain! Although 2 year 2 month old son wasn't climbing out of cot with merriment (we've since found out he can however), he would not be put down to sleep in it and would cry hysterically. It was as if he outgrew the cot for whatever reason. Rather nervously I tried putting him in a full size single bed instead after a few recommendations on this forum. I made it really appealing and got a nice dinosaur duvet cover set etc and put up a bed barrier so he didn't fall out of bed. It means that we can fall asleep with him whilst lying in bed next to him after we read him some books. However - we kept the cot still up in the room. Now when I say good night I say something like 'stay in bed otherwise i'll have to put you back in your cot ok?' and he will nod and fortunately it has worked out really well and we are back to normal sleeping again. Although it might sound like madness to take the bars off your cot that might be the way to make him feel a bit more 'responsible'?!! Must admit I would be finding it hard not to laugh too though if my son carried out continued cot escapisms whilst streaking naked in protest!

your friend might have been confused and meant 3.5 e.g. if your child is April 1 birth then they are not eligible til 1 Sept after they have turned 3 (basically 3.5 years old then grrr)

am sure its 3?? http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Preschooldevelopmentandlearning/NurseriesPlaygroupsReceptionClasses/DG_10016103

Am 28 weeks into 2nd pregnancy and am starting to suffer from a very bad lower back to the point that I can't really walk very far now without niggling pain, or sit for very long without pain in coxis. This is very much exacerbated by carrying heavy 2 year old upstairs/into car seat/into bath etc (which can't be avoided no matter how much I try to explain!) I am not sure what the best remedy is for this or if it goes away after birth but would appreciate advice e.g. any recommendations for particular massages/physio/osteo/pilates/yoga - which is best as my spare time is limited? I'm not in need of pain medication just yet and want to try and nip it in bud. Thanks in advance (moan over)

hope you get well soon Sanna. I think I had that cold last week :-( See those of you who can make it later on at the Plough x

I am wondering if he is just becoming more aware of his ability to delay bedtime by using excuses? My 26 month old's sleep became severely disrupted after starting nursery plus we have another baby on way. Now bedtime involves a list of different excuses to keep me next to him and avoid turning the lights out - he wants more books, more water, more milk, a cuddle. I am aware these are all means of getting me to stay and get my attention. Perhaps 'the moon is noisy' is not really to do with noise but more just a way of delaying you leaving him? Perhaps also just get his ears checked at docs in case he has an ear infection?

thank you for posts and PMs. I am totally sold and will definitely make a purchase before I get to 37 weeks. thanks again

Me again! Just to let you know there are now 3 of us interested in a hypnobirthing group with Kristin (thanks for PMs). She has sent me a message saying she can potentially offer 2 evenings in Jan (2 hours each evening so thank fully no long drawn out evenings trying to get in 'the zone'!) - we just need one more woman to make a group of 4. Do let me know if interested as I am going to speak to Kristin this weekend to see what dates in Jan she can do. Cost will be ?89 per person. x

sorry just realised the website is a bit too much information, please PM if you have any experience. I've lost all sense of dignity :-(

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using an Epi-no. Are they worth the ?100 spend? It's not like I can buy one second hand or sell on! Realise they are quite a new thing so any experience much appreciated before I 'treat myself' to such a glamorous purchase http://www.epi-no.co.uk/

I think you are completely right srisky, and your post was very well put! To be honest the only reason I am considering a homebirth is because of your comment about hospital intervention and postnatal wards, and having had an unpleasant first experience I don't really want to repeat it. However I will do whatever is right on the day. It is a shame when I compare the options today with my own mother who gave bith to me and my brother 30 odd years ago at Kings - an 8 day stay in hospital after both births (despite not having any complications) so that the mother could rest and recover and be fully confident breastfeeding when discharged. And a strict matron on the ward to tell any noisy residents to keep the noise down! Perhaps if today's hospitals didn't treat delivery like a conveyor belt then more women would enter hospital to give birth with confidence. I'd love to see more home from home environments locally attached to hospitals.

Littlemoo - I am so deeply sorry to hear of your experience, it is the worst possible outcome for any mother. Your post has been useful to me as it has given an insight into the transfer window from home to hospital. With my first birth I was told by a very persuasive NCT teacher that it doesn't matter if you are at home or hospital safety wise as if there are any difficulties then it takes 'just as long to prep a theatre for you as it does for a blue light to turn up at your home and get you into the theatre'. In your case however this point seems irrelevant and hospital was the safeest place to be. I have to say my community midwife has been fully communicative of any dangers and I have had to sign a bit of paper saying that I understand that in the case of difficulties the best place to be is hospital. So my experience this time is improved and I am aware of the pros and cons of both choices. I wish you the best of luck with the birth of your third child, it sounds like you are in good hands

Hi Ladies - not sure if this is of interest at all but I thought I'd just let you know I am taking up classes with a highly recommended hypnobirth therapist in January: www.kristinhayward.com I am booked in for 2 x couple sessions with hubby (?199) but Kristin is interested in also giving one half day session at a cheaper cost of ?89 for just the mum - I am interested in this as it saves money and not sure how much of it my hubby would take in anyway! If you are interested in joining me please let me know as I'll tell Kristin - she needs a minimum of 4 ladies to host in her Herne Hill home. I didn't do hypnobirthing with my first labour and kind of wish I had as I have heard the relaxation techniques used are really very useful (you don't need to be a home birther to find them useful). For anyone doing the NCT classes as well I didn't find they taught me much about breathing and relaxation for birth but it might be different now. Rosie x

By the way bumpkin i'm not belittling your experience it sounds horrible

I find this article really patronising - I am sure that most women know that birth comes with risks. I think this BBC piece about the same study published last week is much more informative and useful - I am now 6 months pregnant and considering a home birth and was not put off by the stats here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15861280 For every negative home birth story there is a negative hospital birth story. I really wanted to give birth in hosptial with my first child and found myself literally BEGGING to be let in for pain relief after 40 hours of contractions and no pain relief - chosing a hospital birth doesn't necessarily make it more straightforward and the doors are not always flung open to let you in when you want to go in. I think the most useful thing for any woman making birth choices is to be aware that ultimately birth is an experience completely out of one's control, and if you do chose the home birth route, chose a midwifery unit specialised in home births.

I haven't read this but thinking of ordering off Amazon as gets good reader reviews http://www.amazon.co.uk/Second-Baby-Survival-Guide-toddler/dp/1905744676/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322473532&sr=1-1

http://www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product_id=FLK-40084-COT&cookied=18/11/2011%20172146 Best leggings I've ever had are from a brand called Falke- available in John Lewis etc. Basically footless tights but if u get the thickest denier they are great quality leggings....

Of course elisabeth... The more the merrier! See u there...

Hi everyone, I've now booked some space for 8th December for 20 people (just put this as a ball park figure of attendees). Details below: THE PLOUGH ON LORDSHIP LANE THURS 8TH DECEMBER FROM 7.30PM AREA BOOKED UNDER NAME OF 'ROSIE' I've specifically requested 'comfy' seats and as there is a quiz on there that night we'll be seated away from the action. See those of you who can make it there. Rosie x p.s. sorry in advance if I forget faces to names, I only have two (Midivydale/Caroline and Countjc/Jenny) cemented in my brain since the first meet up - blame it on the hormones ;-)

I can defo recommend 'A Perfect Start' by Christine Hill: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Start-coping-months-parenthood/dp/0091917425/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321373283&sr=8-1 No pictures, just words, but it was the ONLY book I read that gave a very accurate and useful view of the first few weeks and what you might come across and how to handle various situations etc. Was also a book my husband read from cover to cover and would probably agree on its acuracy and usefulness. Only worth reading late on in pregancy as at the moment I would imagine you are probably too focused on just being pregnant and not thinking about 'the other side' as it were! Its a really good and easy read x

As above was very sick in pushing stage and also just after delivery. Prob due to all the drugs though. No significant vomming in pre labour. I am 24 weeks preg and was in kings 2 weeks ago with vomitting virus. 4 other women were admitted same day with vomitting so theory was there is a bit of a bug going around at mo that prego women are susceptable to. It passed in 24 hours but defo see gp if gets severe.....

Yes am big supporter of comfy sofas....am happy with any of those venues.....

Ps congrats on boy nicole... They are LOTS of fun!