April 2013 due date anyone?

Hello lovely Ladies. Hope everybody is keeping well. Wooow, time really flies when you are pregnant. Well, apart from the nights. Hehe. I have a biiig favor to ask: They have found mold in our flat which is sooo bad for baby. Our landlord is rubbish and basically refuses to do anything. So we are trying to find a nice place as soon as possible. We would love to move around Jumeira, ideally around Safa Park. Could you please all keep your eyes open and let me know if you hear anything? It would also be possible if there is a property coming up between now and June which we could secure so we avoid searching for a place once the little one is here... Thank you guys so much.

Hi Everyone! I'm a bit frustrated now. I just called my insurance company and due to the changes at City Hospital, it's no longer direct billing with them. It's still covered, however I need to go to the drama of reimbursement. I'm planning to transfer to American Hospital. Can you suggest a good OB at American Hospital?

Afternoon all, Hope everyone is well! Im at week 30 now. Got a scan next week to see Moo and I am so excited, it has been ages since I saw her in November! Not baby related but could you ladies please ask your maids if they know anyone looking for a new job. I have spoken to so many ladies that want the job but they all want too much money, someone else to move in, 2 days weeks (WTF did that happen) and 45 days holiday and stupid things like that! If you hear of a maid, please let me know [email protected] How are you all doing? I am still walking in the baby shops and walking out with nothing, although Moo can come home from the hospital safely and after work tonight she will have somewhere to sleep too! xxx

Hiccup - I like the Uppababy Vista too, but sadly it's not available anywhere in Dubai and I won't be travelling anytime soon. So I guess I'll just go with whatever is available here. Quinny or Bugaboo maybe. Funny thing is, I was sooo excited to buy baby stuff even from the 12th week but here I am still confused on what to buy. Lol. Alenka - Hi there. Welcome to the thread. How's everything? Hmm.. I've actually gained 6-7kgs since the beginning of my pregnancy. Mostly on the 2nd trimester! Now I just started 3rd trimester and on a strict diet. I think LO is starving :( but he's always moving around so I guess he's happy, right? Have you ladies seen the movie, What to expect when you're expecting? It's a good one. :)

Hi Girls Well, my due date is 3 months exactly today. Scary stuff. Although hubby is definitely hoping Junior stays put for a while because he's got exams at the beginning of May. bunintheoven - I got the Uppababy Vista. I love it. It is pretty big compared to some others but I quite like that though - some other trendy prams out there look a bit flimsy I think. Like I said we got a pretty decent discount at John Lewis so it made it worth it for us. Plus we flew back at Christmas business class using airmiles upgrades so we could make sure we had loads of baggage allowance and then just checked everything in. It was no problem at all (that was the full stroller system, car seat, car seat base and both our suitcases) - and we still had allowance left over. If you can travel reasonably economically with what you take, you should be able to bring the pram back with you as checked in luggage. Don't forget, most airlines don't actually charge for prams - just because the child happens to be in your belly shouldn't make any difference! Regarding the whole shopping for baby thing - I hear ya sista! The first bit of shopping we did was at Christmas because we knew we needed to take advantage of the cheaper prices in the UK. So we got the pram, a bunch of clothes and a baby monitor while we were there. Now we're looking at stuff over here I'm shocked (as I always am) at how expensive everything is. And to add insult to injury, when you look at some stuff over here in say Mothercare, they always have the UK price sticker on it too, you know, so you can see just how much more you're paying. Still, we've bought a few bits, and managed to get a cot and mattress last weekend. Not in the sale mind (there is literally nothing decent in the sales), it was just a decent cot for a decent price in Mothercare. The whole sleeping arrangements things is a bit of an issue too. We've got the cot and think we'll try and encourage him to sleep in that but if he feels unsafe in the first few weeks, I think we'll just use the bassinet from the pram system. It's safe to use overnight and has a breathable mattress etc. Might just sit that in his cot until he's ready to do without it. I think we planned on having the cot in our room for around the first 6-8 months ish. Just for ease of convenience for me more than anything with night feeds etc. I'd like to move him into his own room after that ideally but we only have a 2 bed apt - the spare room is set up for guests and we do always have about 5 or 6 separate lots of visitors each year (might even be more once Junior arrives), so I wouldn't want to get rid of the spare bed and change it into a nursery. But at the same time I feel tight just shoving his cot into the corner of the guest bedroom. Don't want to move though either. We've lived in the same place since we moved out here, we love the location, the apartment, we're paying a good price and the landlord seems to be a pretty decent guy. Stalemate. We might have to just suck it and see (which is what I seem to be saying about a lot of baby related issues). I still can't complain really about any pregnancy related ailments. Sure, I'm aching a bit more and finding it increasingly difficult to sleep, but I can't complain. I've had a pretty happy pregnancy so far. Lets see what the third trimester brings. I'm just anxiously awaiting news at the end of this week as to what the insurers have decided to do about the City Hospital price rises. Mine is one of the ones kicking off about it. I must say a 5-6% increase doesn't sound too out of order to me? I know what you mean about the baby moving pinkbutterfly. Mine's constantly on the bounce but I love it. Whilst hubby's working away, makes me feel like I've got a bit of company. The only book we bought was one called "First Time Parents" by Lucy Atkins. Its like a bit of an idiots guide so it doesn't come across as preachy or opinionated. I'd definitely recommend it. Oh and hubby's reading one called "Commando Dad". Cute. I also got that set of Essential Parent Guide DVD's for Christmas. They are definitely worth having a look. Well, think I've rambled enough. Good luck with the third trimester ladies.

Philly - The nurse told me it will be ready the next day, but I actually got the results after 3 days. The wait was unbearable, because I had the random glucose test first which came back abnormal, so I had to do the GTT. Max - Ahh thank you very much for the encouraging words dear. xxx I still didn't get that blood sugar monitor thing but I'm sure I will after I see my dr on Monday. Is it just me or are you also feeling the baby moving all the time? Like in the daytime, he's busy kicking.. In the middle of the night, I wake up because of all the kicks and punches!!! I feel like he's not sleeping anymore! I'm afraid he will be ADD or something like that because of gestational diabetes. I know it's silly but I'm just paranoid I guess. Aaaggghhh.

Pinkbutterfly - how long did it take four GTT results to come back?

Hey how's everyone doing? Max - My GTT scan didn't go well. Found out I'm borderline diabetic, so I started diabetic diet too before it gets out of hand. It's really hard for me because I hate eating several times a day and I love my sweets especially with my coffee. But oh well, I've been on the diet for 3 days now and I feel like I'm doing well. I'm going to see my dr next week so hopefully positive results. Bunintheoven - Hey welcome back! How's everything? Yes my blood pressure is normal now, thanks for asking. It's my blood sugar now I'm worried about. I've been really busy/stressed these past few days I can't believe I just started 3rd trimester. Wooooohoooo. Congrats to all of us ladies. Just a few more months to go. (this is what I tell myself everytime I crave for chocolates or caramel macchiato) :D

Hi everyone, I can't believe it is almost the end of January! I haven't posted here since last year! So much to catch up on. I did my glucose test today but got stuck in Abu Dhabi by the fog so by the time I got to City Hospital I had fasted 12 and a half hours instead of the requested 8-10. I didn't think it would be a problem but apparently it can affect the result so if I get an abnormal reading I'll need to do it again. Muffin86, at City you can turn up as early as 7.30am so the test should be over by 9.30am-10am so it is just like having a late breakfast, not as bad as it sounds. And the sugary drink gives you a little energy boost too. It was after 1pm by the time I ate and lunch never tasted so good! I have usually had breakfast before 7am! And at least one cup of tea. I'll get my results on Tuesday. Fingers crossed. Max I am sorry to hear you turned out to be one of the one in ten. It seems for some people there is no obvious reason why you got it and the next person didn't. I know a super-healthy super-fit woman who got it. I also read that in an ideal world all women would eat a diabetic diet while pregnant regardless - better for Mum, better for baby. Is it difficult? I hope you beat that cold too. Btw, you can get GF flour at spinneys and Waitrose and the organic store. Do you need to eat gluten free on a diabetic diet? I am 100% gluten free so if you need any advice I am happy to help. Hi Sandy! You are nearly a full month ahead of me, I am due at the end of April. I would love to meet up with all of you but still working so will have to wait until maternity leave. For now, I'm glad we've got this forum. Max, I am sorry to say I don't share any of your symptoms but I do have some weird ones of my own, including a fine blonde fuzz growing on my jawline. Sexy. You can especially see it in the sunlight. At least it is blonde. And sleep issues, I thought waking up in the middle of the night was just because I needed the loo or was uncomfortable (still not loving the left-side sleeping) but I have recently been reading about pregnancy related insomnia - hormone induced. Great. Hiccup, I was in London last week so went to John Lewis where I was hoping to quiz the sales assistant endlessly until I decided what I want in a pram (the sort of service you don't get here). I left feeling more informed but still undecided. I looked at the Uppababy and really like it. Did you get the Cruz or the Vista? I enquired about shipping and for the Vista, I think you got about 100 pound back for VAT and it cost about 200 pound for shipping... something to think about if the prices are much cheaper in the UK. I haven't done much comparative shopping. Actually I haven't done much shopping at all. To be honest, I haven't bought a single thing for the baby. I tried while at John Lewis but I ended up in the breast feeding section and got all overwhelmed by the different pumps and attachments and ice-packs and breast pads so I went and bought a pair of shoes instead. I am going home (Sydney) next week for two weeks so I keep telling myself I'll get serious when I get back. My Mum had me (as a twin) at 30 weeks so I now appreciate what a rude shock that must have been! Has anyone started classes? Anyone doing lactation classes? Or reading any good books? Fiction and non-fiction recommendations welcome! I was given 'Why French children don't throw food' a book about the French approach to parenting and parenthood as opposed to the British/American approach. It is an interesting read. Pink butterfly, I hope your blood pressure has gone back down and you are feeling well. I hope everyone else is feeling well too. If anyone else is going through the bio-oil like I am, I found it for sale on Ebay MUCH cheaper than you can buy it here even after postage. The dreaded stretchmarks.... I was about to sign off but I have one novice question to put out there - what are your intentions for sleeping arrangements when you get your little one home? Moses basket? Bassinet? or straight into the cot? In your room? For how long? Good luck everyone. Hopefully there won't be such a gap between this and my next post and hopefully the next one wont be so long. xxx p.s. thanks for the pelvic floor reminder Max!

hey, Max i ended up at a class there on Sunday morning, last minute the pregnancy yoga and only 3 of us there, was that you?? Really enjoyed the class, and recommend it so much more compared to home, although standing against the wall in sitting postition letting us feel what the contractions would feel like, thought my legs were going to drop freom beneath me!! better start practising!! can still feel a burn today.... but move into our place on the 28th of this month, can't wait to have a place of our own even if it is for the short while!! i fly back the 18th of Feb, had the docs yesterday, baby doing well bigger at the 30wk stage already, been told for my next app to go back for getting fit to fly letter a week before i go and they want to the GTT test too but fasting for 10-12 hours before??? Hello i can't fast for an hour or 2 let alone those, also this test which checks babies blood flow, has anyone else had this done? just not sure of what to do as back home i wouldn't get this so do i chance it and assume, but don't think i'd be able too?? i can honestly say i'm not missing the snow at the mo, hubby is but knowin g i'm going back hope its gone before i'm back, hope your app goes well tomo xx

Bubbles09-Hey sounds good about the yoga, enjoy and let me know how you get on, i had gone in Aberdeen before coming out and while some of it i enjoyed i just didn't find i may/ may not use alot of it but a friend here has been telling me about her going at Motor City and had said one of the teachers was really good exercises to stop bladders stretching ( which could be v handy just now)!! and one for calming baby if he/she is very active, i find that useful unlike what i was getting taught at home... Max- So sorry to hear your news, thats shocking and can imagine totally unexpected... Hope your resting well and recover soon, i did go to go to the bumps and babes but couldn't believe just how busy it was, never saw any bumps.... I went to one back in Nov at the Dubai Mall and was about 6 there compared to how busy last week was, its a tad off putting, but just makes me even more excited to meet my little one... Have a docs app on Sunday so hopefully just a general chat and get registered with her for when i come back with baba which will hopefully be about end of May time xx

Hi all-how r u keepin? Pink butterfly-that's a relief, not having to change. How did your GTT go? Muffin86-Didn't see you at th coffee morning? Hope I didn't miss you there? Hiccup-aww your ribs sounds painful, know what you mean about sleeping badly but I don't have rib problems. Good choice on uppababy-my mate bought the vista last wk nd was v happy. Lucky on the discount too:) did you get much in the DSF? Know what you mean about boys names-were struggling too. The nice names are overly popular, and other names ain't so nice. I'm feeling sorry for myself this wk April ladies, my GTT came back abnormal so diagnosed with gestational diabetes and I've gotta now do blood testing before and after every meal for the nxt 3months and higher risk of c-sect though I want a natural birth:( also I'm full of cold/bugs (which I thought might be why results skewed but they're saying not) so not sleeping well and full of snot urgh. Seems I'm gonna have to go very low carb/no sugar and I'm gutted cos I love my food and after dieting all these yrs (only marginally overweight, bmi 25 so borderline), my pregnancy was one chance to eat more relaxed but alas no....ggrr. My gyny said I should get used to feelin hungry...seems wrong for baby?! Will see what diabetic clinic say....sigh.... Tmrw's another day, hope the last 3months fly by! Hope you ladies are having a better wk:) M

Hi everyone and congratulations to all April mums to be. I've been reading your posts and thought it was about time I joined in just to see if I could make more friends in the same boat as me. I am due at the beginning of April with number 3. I have 2 boys already, DS1 is 3 and at nursery 5 days a week and DS2 is 16 months and is at home with me. Pregnancy this time around is definitely a lot more tiring what with having two monsters to run around after already. I'd love to meet up for a grown up conversation and just to get out of the house if any of you are free. Any time between 9am and 1pm is good for me as that's during nursery hours. Bumps and Babes coffee mornings aren't really doable as DS2 is on the move which means it's a bit difficult to be in a big group of people and try to have a conversation. My email address is xxx and I would love to hear from any of you. <em>edited by Sandy on 16/01/2013</em>

Max, that's awful news about the diabetes! I really hope it doesn't effect you too much, you'll have to rely on your obgyn to do everything possible for a natural birth! I've just emailed you about meeting up, my son's in nursery mon, wed & thurs mornings, so they're best (as wont be distracted), but can make any other time too. Philly, it'd be great to meet together? Muffin86, I'm going to try out the prenatal yoga on the palm tomorrow, I'll let you know how I get on, but yes it's the one where Kalms is. I can't believe we're in our 3rd trimesters now! I hope everyone is keeping well & enjoying their pregnancies (seriously make the most of the first one, subsequent pregnancies are never as fun when running around after a little one!). Take care ladies xxx

Max - thats really sucky! Think we might need to catch up for a non-sugar, non-alcoholic, non-fun drink of water! Send me a text of when's good for you x Hope it doesn't get too bad. I've got mine coming up - bit nervous as Darling hubby loves to tell me how much sugar I eat and how bad my diet is. Just hang in there.

wallflower- thank you for that, that's shocking!! Thats another buggy purchase in itself absolutely shocking as if we don't fork out enough at this time without out that!! x

wallflower- thank you for that, that's shocking!! Thats another buggy purchase in itself absolutely shocking as if we don't fork out enough at this time without out that!! x

Happy New Year to all April mums to be, have been looking online at the bumps and babes meetings at the Marina Mall this week, will any of you be there to catch up? haven't been on the forum for a wee while, Max- your symptom of stinging lower muscles... Is it like a stitch sensation? Thats what i've been getting just lately from walking too much round the malls and in general plus any shoes/trainers i wear just now, i find nothing comfortable... I used to have my belly button pierced (i think its due to belly expanding) but the top of it's becoming red, just worried it's going to pop! Like belly button i think is due to any day now... I see just kidding are doing a good deal if you buy the Stokke pushchair you get a free carseat, which i'm very tempted by but still tad superstitious as going back to uk to deliver so will have to take it with me then leave at my folks, anyone have any reviews of this buggy.... xx Just be careful buying from Just Kidding. They are so ridiculously expensive. My friend bought a bugaboo from the UK instead. When she got her tax back she'd saved 500pounds then if she'd got it at Just Kidding. That's how much more they charge for stuff. It's disgusting!! I won't step foot in the place.

Happy New Year to all April mums to be, have been looking online at the bumps and babes meetings at the Marina Mall this week, will any of you be there to catch up? haven't been on the forum for a wee while, Max- your symptom of stinging lower muscles... Is it like a stitch sensation? Thats what i've been getting just lately from walking too much round the malls and in general plus any shoes/trainers i wear just now, i find nothing comfortable... I used to have my belly button pierced (i think its due to belly expanding) but the top of it's becoming red, just worried it's going to pop! Like belly button i think is due to any day now... I see just kidding are doing a good deal if you buy the Stokke pushchair you get a free carseat, which i'm very tempted by but still tad superstitious as going back to uk to deliver so will have to take it with me then leave at my folks, anyone have any reviews of this buggy.... xx Just be careful buying from Just Kidding. They are so ridiculously expensive. My friend bought a bugaboo from the UK instead. When she got her tax back she'd saved 500pounds then if she'd got it at Just Kidding. That's how much more they charge for stuff. It's disgusting!! I won't step foot in the place.

Hey girls. Happy New Year. Its going to be a mad 2013! How's everyone feeling? I've grown loads over the last few weeks. Not sure if its baby or Christmas turkey though! Anyone else finding it more and more of a struggle to sleep. My ribs start getting sore halfway through the night and then I spend the rest of the night tossing and turning trying to get comfy. Its driving me nuts. Maybe I need a new mattress. I didn't have quite as much bother on my mattress at home over Christmas. What a nightmare with the whole insurance/city thing ay pinkbutterfly. I've had the same panic this week but I've seen a letter that City (Mediclinic) sent to their partners stating that it was proposing to introduce a 5-6% increase and all the insurers were informed of this 6 months ago. I hate dealing with insurance companies. It always seems they'll do anything they can to get out of paying for things. And now if they go on a reimbursable basis at City, I feel that will only be worse. Don't want to change my doc though, and he only delivers at City. My philosophy is, if we have to spend a few thousand to get a healthy and happy baby and have a good experience, then its worth it. You'd probably spend more than that on a weekend shopping trip! We got our stroller/car seat while we were at home. Hubby's mum works at John Lewis so she got us a massive discount. We went for the Uppababy and I love it. Its built more for hot weather which is great. It was fun bringing it all back in boxes on the plane though. Going to try and brave the DSF this weekend, see if there are any decent deals on cots. Although in previous years experience with DSF its always seemed to be pretty poor. Now we know the *** of the baby its made everything more real. I totally get why people choose not to know during pregnancy but we always wanted to. Trouble is, we don't like any boys names. That seems daft doesn't it out of the million names you could choose. Its not even like we each like different ones and can't agree. We both just don't like any. I can see registration day being interesting. Its great to hear how everyone's getting on.

Max - I confirmed with my OB that the rumor about City hospital increasing to almost 60% is not true. It's only 6%. So I'm not changing hospitals after all. Thank God. Although my checkup yesterday didn't go too well. I have a bit of scare with high blood pressure (139/95) so now I'll be monitored even closely. My OB said nothing to worry about for now, because I have no other signs of preeclampsia. My glucose test result will be out in 3 days so I'm praying it will be normal. Other than that, bubs is healthy and everything is as it should be. Inshallah everything will be ok.

Hey all..... Bubbles- i saw there was pregnancy yoga on the palm, do you go to that? I noticed it when i went for a pregnancy message at Kalm on the Palm.... very relaxing! I recommend it!! Max- Yeah still going to go for coffee on Thursday, it'll be my first time driving there myself so i'll leave sharp ;) yeah any amount i walk longer than like 10mins it gets sore, have tried slowing the pace too so hopefully that helps... Yeah it was more than what i'd first thought about spending, but it's light (perfect for travelling) and will save a bit not needing to buy the carry cot as can use it from birth, thats what i've told back home anyway.... So i'll go with that, it's a mine field, too much choice!! Aww thats good your hubby felt it, mine is a tad reluctant at the moment but had felt something one night by chance, it's scary to think that within the next 4 weeks i'll head home and come back with a baby!!!! Take care and will look forward to seeing to you that are going at the Marina Mall on Thursday xx

Happy New Year to all April mums to be, have been looking online at the bumps and babes meetings at the Marina Mall this week, will any of you be there to catch up? haven't been on the forum for a wee while, Max- your symptom of stinging lower muscles... Is it like a stitch sensation? Thats what i've been getting just lately from walking too much round the malls and in general plus any shoes/trainers i wear just now, i find nothing comfortable... I used to have my belly button pierced (i think its due to belly expanding) but the top of it's becoming red, just worried it's going to pop! Like belly button i think is due to any day now... I see just kidding are doing a good deal if you buy the Stokke pushchair you get a free carseat, which i'm very tempted by but still tad superstitious as going back to uk to deliver so will have to take it with me then leave at my folks, anyone have any reviews of this buggy.... xx

Hi Ladies, Had a manic Xmas with all my family over, but great fun - just catching up on everyones news now! max - thats terrible that they told you the *** of your baby, such a personal decision. I didn't find out for my first pregnancy & was suprised with a boy, this time around planning & organising got the better of me & we've found out we're having a girl. Our first is 17 months currently, so will be 20 months when I deliver! Thanks for the excercise tips, now all the family have gone back I've really got to start doing something! I also found a prenatal yoga class on the palm (where I live), so I may give that a go as well. Regarding massages, I never had one, but sensasia spa does a special 'mum to be' menu, I just stuck with the head neck & shoulder massages whilst getting my nails done at tips & toes. I hope everyone had a good xmas & new year - only 3 months to go now..... Max, I'd love to catch up for a drink in the week, inbox me at louise_field1979 at hotmail dot com XXX