April 2013 due date anyone?

Max - I was told I have LOW amniotic fluid. Does it have something to do with GD? My dr never mentioned anything about GD, maybe I should've asked? How often do you see your doctor now? I've been seeing mine every 2 weeks since week28 then she said from week 36 I will see her every week. I will be 36 weeks next week. I can't believe LO is almost full term. :)

Hi there Philly. Inshallah your LO will come at his right time. I'll make sure I'll say hi to everyone in L&D. :p

Hi Pinkbutterfly, I'm not due till 3rd May, but my bp keeps creeping up so may be a chance I'm an April mum instead of a May mum. Also delivering at City so may see you there! Philly

You're most welcome hun. x Anyone else delivering at City? We might bump into each other there. :D

Thanks Mumofmoo and pinkbutterfly, that does help a lot. I'll take a selection and if they turn out to be the wrong size or something the shops are always open. Pink butterfly, I have a Dreamgenii pregnancy pillow for sleeping and it doubles as a nursing pillow so I'll try that first. I'll ask the LLL for their opinion though and let you know. xx

Morning ladies Having already been to the antenatal classes and spoken to many midwives here, they all say to pack the following for the baby (per outfit) hat short sleeved and no legged all in one (like a leotard if that helps as I know we all use different words for these things) Long sleeved and long legged all in one Socks (only if your long legged all in one has no feet) Mits Also, you need a number of blankets/swaddles and a fair amount of muslin clothes for when baby spits up Hope that helps a bit Moo

Bunintheoven - You can get cabriofix from babyshop or mothercare. I got mine from babyshop when they had the weekend sale, the colors available are not good though so I ended up with a walnut brown. Regarding hospital bag, I packed long sleeved with closed feet babygros/sleepsuits and some short sleeved as well in case LO likes to be swaddled at least it won't be too hot for him. April is like the beginning of summer so I'd say go for short sleeved clothes especially if they will be swaddled. I'm looking forward to breastfeeding as well. Did you buy a breastfeeding pillow? I read online that it really helps a lot especially for FTM. I'm still thinking about which one to get, boppy or the brestfriend pillow. Any advice from the La Leche League which one is better than the two? Or are they the same and it just depends on your preference? LO is head down at the moment, but my dr said he could still turn anytime. So don't worry I'm sure your baby could still turn in the next few weeks. Best of luck x

Hi all, Good to hear from everyone! I have been meaning to post for ages. I completely missed February! I am now 33 and half weeks and my little one is still sitting comfortably in the breech position. I have been trying every method the internet offers up for encouraging breech babies to turn - handstands in the pool, crawling on all fours, lying on the ground with bum propped in the air, walking up and down stairs sideways etc etc but nothing has worked yet. I have got until the 24th of March before my OB decides if I am a candidate for a physical manual turning on the baby from the outside (ECV) and then if that doesn't work I'll be booked in for a cesarean. She delivers breech babies vaginally but not for first time mums. Turn baby turn! A c-section would be fine but I'd rather avoid it if I can. We're doing all-day antenatal classes this weekend. I hope all day isn't too much! I am still planning for a natural delivery but not planning on writing much of a birth plan. I am going to be open to an epidural depending on how I feel. I have heard pethidine is bad for the baby. That's all I know! There are a few things that I will ask my OB about - one is skin-to-skin contact. I want the baby on my chest straight away, complete with all the muck. I have read that it is now standard in the UK to wait a few minutes before cutting the chord so the blood can finish emptying into the baby so I'm hoping they'll do the same here. The other thing is starting breastfeeding as soon as possible. Apparently within the first hour is good if everyone (Mum and baby) are both well and able. We have bought a cot and a change table but still need to buy a pram and a car seat! Does anyone know where the best place to buy a maxicosi cabriofix? My Mum and sister threw me a little babyshower while I was in Sydney so I got a lot of very nice and very practical things to help get me set up. We will need to get a baby Australian passport as soon as possible after he/she arrives so we have looked into it thoroughly and have an action plan to propel into action. If anyone else needs this info please let me know. I went to a meeting of the La Leche League last Thirsday evening to start to get prepared for breastfeeding. It was really good, not only for breastfeeding advice but also to meet other Mums. I am still working and will be until 38 weeks (unless I am booked in for a cesarean) so it has been difficult to meet people in the real world. Hopefully I will be able to meet you all one day after we've all had our babies and become expert parents and can get back out in public. I am expecting the first 4-6 weeks to be a bit of a blur of sleeping and feeding and not much else. I have a question about the hospital bag - what clothes are you packing for the baby? I am confused by the terminology - all-in-ones, babygrows, sleepsuit, etc is that with long sleeves or short sleeves? Long legs or no legs? With feet enclosed or out? Hiccup, I say do it, let your husband name your son the same as him. It will mean the world to him and he'll have an instant bond. It is an unusual practice but if it means a lot to him then that would be enough for me. Then you'll get full naming rights for the next one! And congrats on the new niece or nephew and cousin for your baby! Nice that they will be so close in age. We have two very long lists of names (one for boys, one for girls) that we don't hate - it was easier to agree on names that we don't hate at first! Now we need to get the two lists down to a few of each that we like. In terms of pregnancy woes, at the moment I have very few. A coupe of weeks ago I had excruciating hip/butt/back pain on the right side and I thought that was me for the rest of the pregnancy, hobbling around, going up stairs one by one but it passed and I feel pretty good now. I get tired and indigestion but I'm getting used to not sleeping well and I have been taking rennies for the indigestion and Zantac to keep the acid down. I was trying to stay off any drugs at all but I have a history of stomach ulcers so it was decided that I should avoid excess acid hanging around in my slow digesting stomach. Happy mother's day to all you UK Mums! I just realised I'll BE A MUM for the Australian mother's day! May 12!! You can all be honorary Australian Mum's this year. Nice to hear from you all! <em>edited by bunintheoven on 13/03/2013</em>

Hi Ladies, I have 3 weeks and 6 days to go now - getting a little nervous and have a load of stuff still to do - I am so organised but I just couldnt bare the thought of having everything ready and then sitting around waiting for weeks and week with nothing to do so hoping that I can do bit and bobs until little Moo arrives I have no stretch marks either so I am thinking that maybe they just dont show until after or something?? Oh god I hope not lol Sorry Hiccup but I hate the idea of people naming their kids after themselves. I think it is lazy, conceited and boring. People like to call it tradition but I think that it would be nice for your baby not to be called Tom Jones, son of Tom Jones, who is son of Tom Jones (if that makes sense). Just my opinion though and that counts for nothing :-) Glad to hear everyone is still well and happy! Moo x

Hi lovely April ladies. We've been very quiet this past week, I guess everyone is just very excited, myself included! :D Lucky you Hiccup and Max, I got like 4 lines of stretch marks under my big belly and I'm sure more will come. But I don't really mind tbh, it will always remind me of my pregnancy and how wonderful it is (was). I got diagnosed with low amniotic fluid during week 34 so no exercise for me. Just light walking. I have 6 weeks left too!!! Longest 6 weeks of my life if you ask me. I got everything ready for LO, even hospital bag is packed. Lol. Hiccup - Would giving him a second name be ok? Like let's say your husband's name is Patrick, name your LO - Patrick Albert :)) So then you can call him Albert but he still has your DH name. I have nothing against the name Albert either, I just couldn't think of any other name right now so I apologize in advance. :D Good luck to all of us. xxx

Hi girls They'll be shutting this thread down if we don't get posting - its been so long! Thanks for reinvigorating Max. Whoa, its getting tense isn't it? 6 weeks to go for me and I'm starting to really look forward to it now. I feel ready...ish. I mean, I'm still terrified about looking after a newborn and the challenges we're about to face but I just can't wait to meet my little man now. I feel like I know him already. We have prodding competitions and everything. I must admit, I'm going to miss being pregnant. I know that might be sickening to hear for some of you women who have had really tough pregnancies. But I've had a really easy and happy pregnancy so there is part of me that will miss it when its gone. Max - on the stretch marks thing, I haven't got any at the moment either but a friend of mine had her first last year and she didn't have any visible while she was pregnant. Then when she delivered they were all over her belly. She was livid. Guess its just the luck of the drawer. My husband keeps telling me if I get them I should wear them with pride and asking if I'm really that vain - it's like he doesn't know me at all!!! My sister in law was induced in the UK last night so we should have a new member of the family shortly. I'm sure she was induced early, not sure why though. There must be a reason. Unless there is a medical reason why (like you Max), I'm avoiding induction if I possibly can. Junior will know when its time. Just hope he's not lazy and like a lie in like his dad! I think I'm pretty much sorted with everything else though. Still need to pack the hospital bag I guess but I'll do that in the next few weeks. Get the essential things in anyway. Or the things I'm more likely to forget! So, here's a question. What is everyone's thoughts on naming a child after his father (if its a boy, obviously!)? It's a big thing in the city where my husband is from and he's always said he would want his first born son to be named after him. I do like the name BUT - his dad is also called that too! I'm torn. I know its important to him, but isn't it a bit ridiculous? Plus, I've seen the trouble it can cause over the years when you call the name and the two of them answer, or letters come to the house and they don't know who its for. We were starting to think of other names but then one of his friends said that his first born son would be named after him, and I could see it in hubby's eyes that even though he sees my point, its just important to him. Its a dilemma. I think even if we agreed on an alternative name, once Junior is born and he sees him, he'll want to name him after him. Just curious to hear what other people think. Like I said, its a nice name so I'm not dead against it. It's not like he's called Albert or something. Apologies to anyone thinking of naming their child Albert. Its a nice name, really.

Max - I actually lost 2.5kg since the diet and I think I feel better now. I used to catch my breath going up and down the stairs at home but now I'm feeling good. I cut down all the junk food which I used to eat on daily basis and use pregnancy as an excuse. LOL. Now I eat more fruits and veggies, never felt healthier in my entire pregnancy. Yesss! LO is moving nonstop more than ever!!! 3 days ago I had this really bad pain right under my ribs from of all his moving around. His kicks are stronger as well. My little Messi, I call him. Hahaha. DH is not very happy with the nickname though. :D So Max, I'm just wondering.. Did you get a changing table? I'm almost done shopping as well. Just the table left. Which pram did you get? I bought red Quinny Buzz 3 with matching red maxicosi pebble carseat and isofix base.

Max - Yes my doc said I'm doing great. Like I said I'm only borderline GD. Since I started the diet, my sugar went back to normal. Yay. But I have to continue the diet so my weight will be controlled esp now 3rd trimester. Omg exciting times. How are you and your blood sugar? I hope you're doing well too. xx

Hi ladies, hope you are all having a good week, although it has just started and I forget considering I have finished work, so I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! I had my first OB appointment today, at heathbay clinic. I was a bit concerned i only had 20 min appointment, as I am sure I had 20 minutes worth of questions for a start! I saw a lovely lovely doctor who it was clearly evident she is all about the mother and father of the baby. She had answered many of my questions before I got my list out for her! She told me about her background and asked a lot about my history and was just so positive the whole time throughout the appointment without being patriotic. And was up front about C sections and the possibility of having one if my little one does not decide to turn .The appointment was in no way rushed and was over the allocated 20 mintues. She also asked whether or not I would like to keep seeing her or prefer to see another doctor. It was very reassuring and I felt really pleased leaving the clinic. Another of the many things I can tick off on moving to a new place - I am going with my gut feeling on choice of doctor and clinic and hope it all works out. Nice to know I dont feel I have to try and find another doctor! Just out of interest does anyone else have horrid varicose veins and blue vein legs!! It's been the bain of my pregnancy - mainly because they are just sooooooooo unsightly and I have to wear compression stockings and its warm and I desperately want to wear short skirts or shorts!!! Vanity I know !! but they are also a tad on the uncomfortable side particularly one leg. For any one else that may have them, "everyone" assures me they will go again after baby is born, I am holding "everyone" to it!!! I have also read that they should go also. Hope all well with everyone ladies!

Thanks to Hiccup and Mumofmoo for your input. Reassuring about Healthcare and I completely understand re not being at liberty to say anything Mumofmoo!! I will see the Dr I am booked with at Healthbay and go from there... I still have time to change my mind!! I don't know what I am having, my husband was desperate to know so he does and its killing him not being able to tell me!! He has been very good at not letting anything slip! As long as things go ok and we get a healthy baby we will be happy

Ohh congratulations mumofmoo!!! I was praying for a baby girl, but it's ok as long as he's healthy. :)

Any April Mommy expecting a baby girl? I'm expecting a boy and like everyone I know is expecting boys too. Just out of curiosity. :D Yup - I am having a little lady!

Any April Mommy expecting a baby girl? I'm expecting a boy and like everyone I know is expecting boys too. Just out of curiosity. :D

Hi girls. Thanks twosilverfish and Lyndy for your comments. I guess expat life can be a little lonely at times but we're all doing this for one reason or another. This is my first pregnancy too so its all pretty daunting but its great to have a forum like this where people are having similar experiences. twosilverfish - I do have skype set up and speak to family pretty regularly, but its just not the same as just having them around is it to experience things as they happen. Still a god send though! Mums and Bumps groups are pretty much out for me at the moment because I work full time and then, if they do end up setting up a Saturday session, the weekend is the only time I get to see my hubby at the moment so trying to make the most of that. And thanks for your suggestion on the doula. I have thought about it after someone else's recommendation but I really don't think its for me. I'm not really too worried about the birth and think I would much rather it be an intimate affair between me and my husband. Not really sure I would feel comfortable with someone else, who I don't really know that well, being there. I haven't got anything against the idea of doulas and totally get why people decide to have one but just don't think its for me. Hi Lyndy. Welcome to the UAE. Bet its a bit of a relief after living in Saudi! I am with Dr. Josza at Healthbay and will deliver with him at City. But I believe the other obstetrician at Healthbay delivers at American too so I guess that's who you must be under. I haven't met her so I can't comment on what she's like. But I can say that I'm a huge fan of healthbay. Its a lovely clinic, very organised, very relaxed. They have a team of western trained midwives (many of whom used to work in the NHS) who are all worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. My doctor agreed quite early on that I would just have the major appointments with him and I could just pop in to see the midwives for the regular checkups, and at them appointments, its great to just be able to chat with them about your fears or frustrations. They're amazing. I've got my antenatal classes booked in with them but don't start them until March. I think if you search through this site you will find that most mums seem to favour either American or City and you can read lots of birth stories and experiences from both of these hospitals, the majority of which seem to be positive. It's all down to the vibe you get from the place though. There is lots of choice in Dubai so I wouldn't worry too much. The one thing I would say about being at Healthbay instead of direct with the hospital is that the appointments seem to be easier to come by and it is a much more relaxed environment. You're never left waiting, and nothing ever feels rushed. That's just going off feedback I've read on here about some people's experiences of the hospital ante-natal care though, not personal experience.

Hi Lyndy and welcome Healthbay is where I have my antenatal classes. Some very recommended staff there. Personally I would rather give birth on the street than at the American hospital. I am not at liberty to go into details annoyingly, lets just say that things there are not very good and the press are not allowed to ever comment so people are blind to any issues. Many people have used American and survived. I picked my Dr and immediately went to City hospital where she works and have been doing that all along so DH and I are familiar with the staff, hospital, local area etc for when the baby decides to arrive. There will be no panickabout anything like that as nothing is new or unamiliar I cannot do coffee mornings as I work but hoping to meet everyone at some post baby cofffee mornings :-)

Hi Ladies, What a great forum!! I am new to Dubai (well Sharjah until the middle of the month) but just getting my head around living here as opposed to just visiting! So glad I found this website. I will be hoping to get to some mum and bumps meetings, in the meantime slowly getting things sorted like a house, OB dr, cars etc...speaking of OBGYN - has anyone had experience with the HealthBay Clinic? I have an appointment there but reading the forum below I see a few of you are delivering at American hopsital, are your doctors at the American or do they have separate clinics? The dr I have got my first appointment with here is from healthbay clinic but delivers at the American. I get worried I have not had enough maternity input - I was in Saudi before here and only had 3 appointments, one was to get Dr clearance to fly with clexane!! Baby due first week of April so I know there will be more appointments to come! Hiccup, re stress, I know where you are coming from... I am a nurse and worked in a really busy department in Riyadh, the patients were heavy, and very sick, and I used to get very frustrated at having to beg for help just to lift a patient, it would stress me out no end...toward the end I just used to dread going to work(now i dread not having my income!!) and often thought how unfair it was for my baby to have to go through my stress..I would constantly have to remind myself at work just to take a step back and take a breath ....am not stressed here and have not been since i finished work. I guess having lived in the middle east a couple of times now i know that things can be somewhat frustrating. Is this your first pregnancy? Difficult without family and friends around too, or if you the only one of your friends pregnant ...lucky we have these forums to tap into..sometimes you think you are the only one thinking things about your pregnancy and wonder if its normal, (especially if first time pregnant like me)and then go to google something...it's nicer knowing there is something like this where you find other people wondering the same things!! Anyway, its nice to have a wee banter ... i will hopefully get to a coffee morning before long. Hope you are all having a good week

Hi, Hiccup. I know exactly how you feel about being away from home and having no one to talk to. It is strange because pregnancy really is such a huge thing (especially the first one, is this your first one,too?) but if there is no one to talk about it to it kinda gets lost, if you know what I mean. Have you set up your skype? And have been to some moms and bumps meetings? I have taken to to talking to the little one in my belly. After all they are going through the whole process, too. And I think it helps us both relax :) Don't worry too much about stressing out baby, that will make you even more stressed. I am sure it will be a beautiful, well adjusted child. No stress. :) Found this website which looks like a lovely idea if you need someone else to take your worries away http://tellmeagoodbirthstory.com/ Have you thought about hiring a doula (I am currently thinking about it)? If your hubby is traveling so much it would be nice to know that there is definitely someone there with you that you like and trust. Prices, I think , are between 1500-4000 dhs. Sending you a big hug

Max - Just wanted to let you know, the lovely ladies at Expatwoman have an offer for 10 pound off the Essential Babycare DVD's I mentioned in my last post. Just noticed it on their homepage. Well worth a look for first time mums. Again there's nothing on birthing though unfortunately (although I'm more worried about what comes after the birth!). Oh and we got the BT video baby monitor back in the UK and we've tested it here. Its fab Uzzizach - what a relief that the insurance companies have sorted themselves out with Mediclinic hey? I was waiting to hear the news as well as I'm with Alico and was planning to deliver at City. Now I know I can stress free again - well unless something else comes up between now and April! I suddenly felt like I'd gone all heavy last week. At my last appointment a few weeks ago (when I was at 25 weeks) I'd put on just over 4kgs in total since the start of the pregnancy. Got another check up appointment next week and feel like I'll be told that's doubled. I don't feel like I'm needing to eat especially more and still eating healthy and pretty much managing to do my usual workout routine but there's no denying Junior's growing. Fast. It's exciting though isn't it. As long as he's staying healthy and happy that's all that matters. Does anybody else stress about what things you are doing in your pregnancy that might affect your baby's personality? It's daft I know but everytime I get angry or frustrated (which is quite frequent for me living in Dubai) or upset (had major wobbles last week as hubby is working in Saudi 5 days a week), I feel like it will turn Junior into a stresshead. Like I'm setting him up for emotional issues. Silly isn't it. Its that whole nature vs. nurture argument. What do you girls think? How much does your pregnancy shape the way your baby will turn out? Finding it tough to be away from family back home at the moment. Anybody else the same? I think its because hubby is away so much though too. It sucks. You want your pregnancy to be really important and get lots of attention and for people to realise how HUGE this is but there's nobody around to share it with. I literally go days and days without even talking about it. Its like I'm not even pregnant. Just feeling sorry for myself I think. Well girls, I hope the third trimester is treating you well so far. Keep smiling

Max - The first few times I was "excited" to check my blood sugar to know where I stand. Then when I ran out of new space to poke a hole into, I started dreading it. My blood sugar is all over the place, sometimes it's all the way down, sometimes it's normal. I guess that means my diet is working right? Going to see my dr tomorrow, I hope she thinks I'm doing well. I lost 2lbs already from all this dieting. Yesterday I was daydreaming that after delivery, I will ask for a burger with large fries and a cheesecake! Lol that made me feel sooo much better. Hahaha. I got a cot, mattress and moses basket the other day. Still looking for a changing table though. Have you ladies seen any good sturdy ones? The babyshop changing tables look awful. No way I'm putting them in my nursery. :p Alenka - I will be delivering in City Hospital. How about you where are you planning to deliver here? Have you decided on which dr to see?

Dearest Max, Thank you so much for hearing me out. I already went to AHD and saw Dr. Branch. It was hard to get an appointment with Dr. Raj and Dr. BW. All's good and I already requested my Medical Records from City Hospital. But guess what? The hospital just emailed me and confirmed that some insurers who didn't agree to their new terms before already did agree on Thursday. I called my insurance to confirm and they said it's again direct billing with City Hospital. Now I'm confused... But not complaining, at least everything's settled. Thank you so much for assisting. Really really appreciate it! :)