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Ante-natal clubs
: Due in June - Creme eggs are long gone and our own eggs have started to hatch. Who will be next?
(999 messages)
Weather rubbish here, and DH is working today. He's given me strict instructions to take it easy as I've been so knackered all week but I'm bored already so going to potter about in baby's room I think. Few things to take out of boxes etc. I'm also going to pack what I already have for my hospital bag and make a list of what I still have to get.
Question for those that have done it before or who've had some good tips from elsewhere... what do I need clothes-wise for the baby? I've got my fingers crossed for a 6 hour discharge so what would I need for that time? Obviously the LO will need something to go home in but what will it need to wear while in the hospital?? I'll pack a second bag just in case I have to stay in longer, so just trying to figure out what I'll need for those first hours.
Also, on the subject of dressing babies generally (this is where I start to sound a bit thick...)... In the summer (assuming its a nice day) would a baby need a vest/bodysuit underneath their outfit or not? I've got/been given a few little jersey trouser and jacket/cardi style sets and wonder if just a bodysuit would be fine with those or if they need another bodysuit or vest under that?
Hi DQ, a NB should have one layer of clothing more than an adult would so if it's T-shirts for us add a layer for them. Bodies (vests) keep them snug and stop draughty gaps between tops and bottoms. And sleepsuits are easy and comfy.
I rem being amazed at the range of sizes, but then new babies grow so fast. DD was average size (7 1/2 lb) and was in Newborn size for a month before going into 0-3 month size. If you have a big baby they may go straight into 0-3 (or 1-3!) months size. There are Prem/ small baby sizes if you think you'll have a smaller/ earlier babe.
I'm taking 2x NB bodies and 2xNB sleepsuits into hosp, as well as a cardi, 2x pairs of socks & scratchmits and a hat. And a little blanket. Also hoping not to stay in long.
After delivery our baby was wrapped up by MW in a hospital cotton suit and a cellular blanket- the MW's are a whiz at swaddling- don't forget to ask them to show you how it's done- it's great for making a NB feel safe and took me quite a few tries to get right. You'll be well looked after. There were also loads of NB nappies on hand so I will only take a few.
Thanks peartart that's a good way to remember it. Bodies and sleepsuits sound ideal for hospital. I keep getting told the baby is a 'good size' whatever that means!!!! We do have to take our own nappies etc in though so I'll put a few in.
Oh, 5 weeks to go - am feeling a bit excited about it today!
Udowncake - thanks for starting the new thread. Shame that your ds has chickenpox too, ds1 had it when I was pregnant with #2, I was just relieved that it was before ds2 arrived. When ds1 had it he was ok in himself once the spots came out, just a bit itchy(calamine lotion), and I did take him out for a few little walks , just made sure it was somewhere quiet and with no other children.
Dramaqueen - I agree with Peartart, one more layer than you are wearing. If you're hoping to be out quite soon then 2 or 3 bodies and sleepsuits and an outfit to come home in if you want to get baby dressed up! When you are learning how to do the nappies, you can expect to sometimes have to change body and sleepsuit at each change.When I had ds1 and 2 in hospital you had to get them changed in their plastic fishtank cot, it wasn't the easiest of things and boys wee so high!!
Sophie - my secret weapon (dh) is painting so there's no chance of help there, I do get the boys to fetch and carry as much as possible. They do have their uses - they will also fasten my sandals for me!!
I want to feel excited(3 weeks for me) but I am so worried about the work we have to do this week before the guests arrive, I can't relax yet. I wish I had a normal job and I was off on Mat leave now with just my own house to get in order and bags to be packed. Roll on 28th May when MIL arrives and she can help out.
Its all done now, DD watching Fireman Sam and DH taken dog for walk, can't complain, its is just bizarre as to where all these people are coming from, never been that busy during the week in May and June.
PearTart and DQ - take more sleep suits and vests, you never know what is going to happen and how long you are going to be in there for, also hospital is very hot, DD was born in January and just wroe a sleepsuit and had a blanket over the top, which we could take off if she was too hot.
Morning thanks for reassurance with LO turning . I dont know but possibly she has as feeling kicks up top although she could have strong hands!!!
Debs- not long now thats what i keep thinking!!! these weeks just fly by
So re DQ question do you think the one more than us layer will be the same over here bearing in mind it will be july august with temps of 38 C sometimes!!
Happy bday Ernest
oh and feeling wierd since yesterday backache and crampy but no contractions not even BH!!
I think this last stage is exciting, DP keeps glancing at me in shock every time i go ooh aah and says your not in labour are you?!!!
Deb don't panic please - we have a couple of rooms to painty before we move out in July so DH will have to do that on our 3 days off before baby comes or the few days I am in hopsital, we also are painting our buy yo let flat as well but that will only be a day when we are not here anyway.
So how many babies do we think this thread will see? Bet you any money it won't be mine!
I wouldn't bother taking any posh baby outfits into hospital, especially if you're not planning to be in long. Vests + babygros are ace and easy to get on and off which is very important - I was terrified of hurting ds by trying to get him into more restrictive clothes.
Greenfairy - so sorry to hear about the change to your planned birth, but don't give up all hope, there is time for it to change yet. Also, at the end of the day, as disappointing as it is not getting the birth you really wanted, once the baby comes how it got there will seem much less important.
I'm hoping we won't see mine either, as if LO is born at 35 weeks and contracts chicken pox, it will not be good.
But based on last time, I think I am unlikely to go into labour early. [fingers crossed emoticon]
DS deosn't have a fever, is eating like a horse and mostly OK in himself. But he is very sensitive and cries at the slightest thing. (position of pasta on his plate, the pencils being 'wrong' for drawing with, etc) so we're all getting a bit fractious round here.
Thanks Sophie - I'll have a second bag packed if I have to stay in longer. They were discharging new mums at 2am when I was at hospital last weekend so I think they definitely dont keep you in any longer than necessary round here! Fingers crossed I get my early discharge though.
UDC - sorry that everything is a bit fractious round your way.
Paro - at 38C even one layer would be too hot for me, so on that basis I reckon one layer only would be fine for a baby . No worries about that in Edinburgh I think!
Dramaqueen - at discharging new Mums at 2.am - what an awful time to be going home from hospital with your new baby,, struggling with that new car seat in the dark etc etc... I think it's terrible.
Sophie - I'm trying not to panic too much, I can't help with the painting or laminate flooring anyway so it's out of my control. Instead I'm cooking a proper dinner tonight - roast chicken and might do a few scones whilst oven's on, and maybe some flapjacks ( just a little comfort eating) And I wonder why I can't get into some maternity trousers already!!
Paro - the mw's will tell you what baby should be wearing at those temps. Maybe just the bodysuit and a sheet , depends if there's air conditioning in the hospital too. Do you have air cond at home or fans?
Baby clothes are provided at our hospital - which is a bit weird.
I was very surprised deb. The hospital has a certain number of rooms for low risk pregnancies that you basically labour/deliver/recover/do all the post-natal stuff and then get discharged from. If you cant be discharged then you get transferred to the labour ward to free up the room for the next woman. At 2am I dont know if you would get given the choice of whether to go home or get discharged. I guess she might have really wanted to go home? Will need to report back in around a month when I go through the process myself .
Have done some hospital bag packing and written a list of what I still need to get. Still to pack stuff for the baby but I'd like to wash all the clothes we've already bought first and not planning to do that until I finish work next Friday. Do most people wash stuff first or am I being a bit mad? I'd never do if with my own clothes.
Ooh, also got these from mamas and papas. They're under the bump so figure they'd do post baby. Lovely and soft and comfortable (although no doubt will be very crumpled after 1/2 hour wear).
Most people on MN seem to wash the baby clothes beforehand but I never have. I wash secondhand/old stuff that's been stored away but not new.I've washed bedding as it had been stored and new muslin cloths because they were a bit stiff otherwise.
I'm rapidly running out of energy, I've managed the roast chicken and the scones but now I have to think about veg, gravy etc... I have a chair in the kitchen and I keep sitting down but I'm still v uncomfortable this afternoon. Few crampy pains, those sharp stabbing pains as baby bashes my pelvis with his head(I think) and a few BH contractions. Everytime I say ouch or take a sharp intake of breath, dh says - you can't have him this week, I haven't finished the room.
In hospital we get baby clothes given too, have been told that just need clothes to go home in. Dont even need nappies,wipes, creams pads or even nightie for me! But have packed one as the hospital ones leave not much to the imagination
And here no discharging at 2am you HAVE to stay in min 48hrs regardless of what you are like
I personally havent washed anyhting and no time now as not allowed to do stuff like that. I figure new baby clothes will be ok and my friends who have given me stuff washed it before hand.Why do they recommend it? is it cause of chemicals etc? But isnt it best to let baby build up immune system?
Take it easy debs!! gonna catch up on latest eastenders and shipwrecked that i have downloaded. Does your DH use uknova debs?
Wuick strawpoll. DH and I were supposed to be going out tonight. As DS is so sensitive, (and which is putting both DH and I on edge) I have cancelled the babysitter. I have been working on and off today to make up for the time I shall miss next week. DH is really disappointed that we are not going out together, but I am feeling pretty tearful and really don't feel like going. I am doing the right thing, aren't I?
Debs, sorry you are running out of energy. It sounds like you have achieved a lot!
I wash baby clothes but only cos everyone else does so I think I ought to IYSWIM!
UDC if you dont feel like going then you've done the right thing. Couldn't you plan a nice night in instead? Nice dinner or cuddle up on sofa with dvd and some chocolate?
Paro - not sure re: washing of baby clothes. I know that manufacturers coat all clothes/fabrics in stuff to make it really soft and cosy (hence why nothing you ever buy feels as soft as it did when it was in the shop).
I was thinking of washing the baby clothes just because I like the idea of them being all clean before they wear them for the first time as they will have been handled in the manufacturing process, delivery process, unpacking in the shops, and by any tom, dick or harry who handled them on display in the shop . That and I like the idea of seeing them all out on the washing line!
Hope you're taking it easy deb I've just been ironing some sheets (my least favourite chore in the world) and kept having to sit down because my back was aching. Have a summer roast lunch with salad and no gravy!
been suffering with SPD a lot but trying desperately not to think about it. and praying for the baby to come early. went to the osteopath and she is amazing and helps enormously but there is only so much she can do.
anyone who wanted the baby to turn - our hypnobirthing instructor told us that hypnosis has an 80% success rate to turn the baby - much higher than acupuncture, etc. have a look at this.
UDC sorry you're feeling rough. this is such a hard time anyway, adding external stresses really wears at you. sending you a virtual hug.
happy birthday ernest!!
deb hope your dinner turns out, sounds lovely. don't wear yourself out too much though.
Paro - can DH wash the baby's clothes for you? Baby clothes are normally coated with fire retardant chemicals, and it's pretty grim stuff. BUT am sure it won't matter if you don't - no doubt we had far worse things on our clothes!!! (lead cot paint anyone?)
Happy birthday ernest - I hope it gets better. If you need a present, have a look at this and wrap up your iPhone - or your house! My favourite book when I was a child...
UDC - thanks for asking, and thanks again to everyone for the kind words yesterday/ today. I do feel better, but have been a bit hurt by well meaning RL people saying 'it's the baby that counts' to me over the last 24 hours. I wanted a home water birth because I thought it was best for our baby (not everyone's, just ours - not judging AT ALL). I'm not squeamish and bounce back fine from surgery - but I wanted my daughter to have a gentler entry into the world if possible. Anyhoo, it's out of my hands. Hope moxibustion on Monday/ ECV on Friday does the trick, as there's not much time left.... I did have what definitely felt like a HUGE contraction this morning - could barely speak and almost threw up from the pain. Had another smaller one a few minutes later, and then they stopped again. Just hope I can hold off til Friday!
Well, enough about that. Excited to hear from makescakes and gemma - wonder how long we'll have to wait til someone else pops too!?
PS - UDC - cancelling seems to be like totally the right thing to do. Going out when you're not feeling like it is rubbish ime. Hope DS gets better soon
I thougt you were being qiuet today and then I saw this thread!
I did have a good nights sleep, if the dr's were really worried they would have kept me in yesterday. Really hoping that when I leave hosptial it will be with my baby. I'm going to ask to be induced next week as I know once I'm in hospital I will get really stressed as I will be in there becasue something is wrong. Bump feeling massive. We went for a walk into town and I kept getting really sharp pains that felt like they were comming from my cervix, I've been having them for a few days but I now realise that it's from all of the pressure of the fluid/baby. I've been willing the baby to come out for a few days and now I'm willing it to stay in as I want to have my whole labour in as controlled enviroment as possible and will be very happy to be strapped to a ctg machine for my whole labour.
Upsidedowncake, if you don't feel like going out staying in is best. I agree that you could make it a really nice eveing at home with a lovely meal/take away!
I didn't wash any new clothes only the old ones I had from the dd's. Glad I'm not the only one!!!
Had a nice time visiting my friend and her baby today. The nightmare scenario of my waters breaking on the M25 in a traffic jam surrounded by Portsmouth fans on their way to the FA cup final did not materialise. [relieved and slightly paranoid emoticon]
Not much else to say for now. Still no news from makecakes and gemma.
Hi all, just briefly cos got a take away on the way (my 1st one in probably well over a year).
Went back to bed after my early start so managed to get another hour sleep. Don't mind about not getting pressie, like I said, my iPhone is great. Dh brought me breakfast in bed, and my 3 boys each drew me a card and sang 'happy birthday' so that was really lovely And I got a big box of posh chocoltaes.
I've reached the stage where I need to wee contsantly. No sooner have I gone, tehn I need to go again. And am itchy everywhere, esp belly button and breasts. Madenning. Death by belly button.
Now I desperately need birthday pressie idea for dh - it's his birthday in 2 days, and am stumped. Big time
No news from MakeCakes?
Deb, hope you're not working too hard.
Re washing clothes, never bothered. The ones my little one will wear were washed last time they were worn - ie 4.5 years ago ( ) am I too lazy. And it'll wear the clothes whether it's a girl or boy. I pray it's a boy. I bloody hate pink with an obsessive hatred. Anything pink will be binned or shredded. Fingers crossed. Only 3weeks to go before I find out! Yikes.
I hate pink too Ernest, when we had dd I begged people not to buy her pink clothes. Nearly 5 years later and she is the biggest pink princess, she loves pink and insists on having everything pink, its a nightmare. Now that it is her choice though I don't feel its fair to refuse to let her have them, so while I try to steer her away from pink things in the shops if she insists I try to give in gracefully.
DD has a lot of blue clothes and brown clothes and some pink, red and purple, very bold not wishy washy, half of her clothes are boys so will do for the next one.
Ernest, hope you have a lovely take-away. Did they not exist in CH? No idea for your DH's birthday. What does he like doing?
G43, you go in tomorrow evening, don't you? Hope all's OK tonight.
DYlan's mum, hope SPD not too bad
GF, thinking happy thoughts for you
Thanks for all your support today. You've helped me feel better. I'll be fine on my own.
Also, six hours work done today! And seven hours done last weekend when DS was ill with meningitis (that wasn't). So I won't feel too guilty for taking time off next week to take care of DS when he can't go to nursery. He's slightly more cheerful, though decided he'd had enough ice-cream when eating pudding, so he's obviously not 100% himself!
Paro - we lived on Australia (Brisbane) when I was young, no air con. Mum used to put wet terry nappie around the cot and then put a fan on them to keep us cool. Although much like lying babies on their tummy, it is probably considered child abuse or something now! Hopefully your midwife will be able to advise.
We had a lovely trip into a our local village centre today with Theo and Esther. Went for coffee and cake at Caffe Nero, and the babies were angels. They drew lots of admirers. One woman went past and had a good look and said 'how cute!' then said 'they're not yours, are they?'
Er, no, I just stole them!!!!
I think I should take it as a compliment that I either a. look too young to have babies b. look too rested to have babies c. look to thin to have given birth 11 days ago.
I hope it is c
I have lost 2st actually since the birth and I still have a bit of a belly but it is going down quite rapidly. I lost one and a half stone from the birth and am down to 10st10lb now (started at 9st before I got pregnant). Have to make sure I don't lose too much cos I need to eat to make milk, but MW says I burn 1000 cals a day BFing twins
Evening everyone, just had a lovely bath, took the walkie talkie with me in case I got stuck getting out (like I did on holiday - deep, narrow bath)as dh was still painting and not within earshot. Didn't have to call on him this time!!
Paro - dh uses UKnova amongst other torrents. Our download has just been increased which is great.We have 1 English channel - BBC Prime but how they can call it the prime of BBC I do not know. It does have some good dramas but they are the repeated about 300 times!
Upsidedown - I think it was the right decision to stay in, especially if ds couldn't eat all his ice cream! Did he go to sleep OK?
Foxy - thanks for your goodwishes.
Dramaqueen - I have been converted to sitting down to iron - sooo much easier! Managed to make the roast dinner in the end complete with stodgy yorshire puddings!!
Dylansmum - good to hear from you, sorry the SPD is getting you down - hurry up baby.
Greenfairy - glad you're OK today.
G43 - good luck tomorrow
Ernest - am about your takeaway. We can get a pizza in the village ( on some nights) and that's it, there was a Chinese in the next town but it's closed down. NO idea about your dh's Birthday? Lederhosen - so he feels at home in Munich I also have to wee constantly, last week when swimming I spent more time in the loo than the pool, struggling getting a wet swimming costume up and down.
Allipalli - knew you'd be OK, did your friends baby make you impatient for yours to arrive?
Neenz, I was wondering how you were getting on, sounds like you are a natural!!Can't believe you've lost 2 stone already and that's with the babies taking 1000.You didn't look like you'd put it on elsewhere though - just your bump, whereas I am outgrowing my maternity clothes, I think at the moment my bottom is growing more rapidly than bump, hasn't stopped me just having some cereals though!!
Glad you had a good day out neenz. at your 2 stone weight loss. deb is right though - you looked all bump in your pics. Whereas I am all bump, bum, hips, thigh, bingo wings... Never mind, I keep telling myself that I'll power walk my way to thinness with the pram every day .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERNEST!!! I know what you mean about wee-ing. My bump dropped this week and I haven't been able to go more than 30mins without going to the loo ever since (sometimes no more than 10ms...)
Neenz - You've been amazing since the twins have been born, you're such an inspiration. I hope I cope half as well as you (and I'll only have half the number of babies to deal with!). Seriously hope that I lose that much weight when I give birth, but am not sure my weight is all baby....jelly babies maybe!
I finally finished work yesterday. However i am now paranoid that my waters are going to break any second...
Lovely neighbours bull staff has been barking non stop for the last 20mins. Just before that someone kicked our front door repeatedly (just like they normally have done to theirs) which was scary. But there was no-one out there and I think it was just a case of getting the wrong house. (Neither my neighbours nor their regular sparring partners are particularly bright....). I don't think tonight is going to be a good night....I will be taking the all hours enviro health and local police station tel no's to bed with me.
Thankfully two couples viewed our house today which hopefully means we may get really lucky and be able to move to new place early - please keep your fingers crossed everyone!
Evening all. Just spent the last hour catching up with the messages I've missed and now my eyes are really blurred, had to skim very fast in the end so apologies if missed things again.
Essie - hope that thread calmed down, don't let it upset you, your feelings are very normal!
greenfairy - I'm so sorry to hear that baby is breech, I totally understand how you must be feeling. Mine was breech on my last MW visit and I was really worried about not getting my home birth, especially worried about c/s altogether. Luckily I did lots of bouncing on gym ball, crawling around on all fours and laying on my left side and something obviously turned him. I know you had other concerns about being stuck there but fingers crossed that whatever you try works for you. I'm keeping everything crossed for you! I do feel for you. Lots of {{{ hugs }}}
nettiehay - glad I'm not the only one whose having problems with their maternity clothes. Some of my jeans/trousers stopped fastening some time ago and I've still got 5 weeks left!
Josie57 - how's the new job going?
Ernest - pleased you got a date and Happy Birthday
G43 - so sorry to hear that you've got problems, I really hope all goes well for you, keep us posted x
splodgesmum - hope you have a lovely holiday
Upsidedowncake - thanks for starting the new thread, great title Sorry to hear about the Chicken Pox
Well, my midwife visit went well and she was very chilled about the whole thing and doesn't envisage any problems. As long as I don't go into labour in the next 2 weeks 2 days, I can have my homebirth if medically all is ok (not sure if get to 2 weeks late though, we'll see nearer the time).
Need to practice pumping and filling the pool but told dh to do that the weekend before I turn 37 weeks (in case go into labour before and it's a waste of time).
Phoned my mum up after the visit to confirm details (as much as possible when you obviously don't know when you're going to go into labour) and turns out I can't rely on them being here for the 2 week slot I thought so I'm having to have a think about who can help with ds if needed (no family in the area). My main concern is if we end up having to go to hospital as they don't like kids there do they. I was very tearful when I got off the phone but I know that was just hormones and feeling a bit let down but hey, we'll sort it.
Right, vision well and truly going now (should have put my glasses on really! )
Dh is just putting the mattress down in the lounge for us to sleep on (had carpet fitted in our bedroom today so bits all over the house). I'm off to sleep as knackered after all the furniture moving yesterday, course this morning and lack of sleep this week.
I've got that fed up and fat feeling that accompanies the end of pregnancy. I know it's only relatively a short space of time before baby arrives but doesn't stop you wishing the time away does it?
Looney - shame about your parents, if only we knew exactly when these babies would arrive it would make things so much easier.I know you said you've got no family there but is there a good friend/neighbour that you could ask. Hopefully it won't be too much of an issue if you get your homebirth.
PP - how was the night? Did you have to call the police? Hope the place sells soon.
Dramaqueen - I have images of me walking my way to thinness with the pram too but in reality it will be a stroll round the village and then home for tea and biscuits!! Problem is that I do want to try and lose some weight after because of sil's wedding in July but, with bfeeding I know it won't be that easy. When you know that bfeeding requires calories you eat more!!
Deb - I can see myself having the same logic re: needing extra calories and breastfeeding. It's the reason I've put on so much weight while pregnant (although to be fair it did start before I got pregnant!!). We'll just have to try and encourage each other. I'm looking forward to my NCT class this week as there are few people there bigger than me .
Friends round for Sunday lunch today so better crack on.
On, mini moan first - I got some black towels for the hospital and washed/dried them last night (so I dont get covered in black fluff in the hospital). We've got a washer-dryer so I wiped down the inside of the machine quite thoroughly to get rid of any fluff. Did a washing afterwards and guess what? Covered in black stuff! I know I should have done an empty rinse but I had so much washing I convinced myself it would be fine. Grrrrr.
Happy Birthday for yesterday Ernest. PP - hope your night wasn't too disturbed and fingers crossed you get to move soon.
Hope everyone else ok. I feel totally out of breath this morning. Not that I've even done anything, but feeling v 'full' today.
Sophie, my trews keep falling down too. V attractive look I find!
We got our buggy yesterday, and some other bits and pieces. Feeling v sorted - if monster decides to put in an early appearance we're kitted out for him.
Just waiting for DP to come back with his older two girls, and then we're off to the zoo!
Morning Sophie and Deb. Oh how I would love a plate of sausages right night!!! You've made my mouth water!
I'm only upset about my parents as the plan was for them to come down a week before I'm due for 2 weeks, in their caravan and being local so IF it happened a week before/week after due date, they would be in the area and mum could be here for the birth again like with ds (he was born 5 years ago when they still lived in the area and so did my brother and sister - all gone now). When I phoned up it had suddenly changed to them going away any time from 4 days before I'm due and now doing the rounds in their caravan to different areas. I don't mind, they should do what they want, just felt a bit let down as I hadn't been told about the change and I loved having my mum there last time, she was great (I know it wasn't guaranteed anyway but ykwim).
deb - know what you mean about that end feeling. I wasn't doing too bad until maternity clothes stopped fitting me!!
G43 - thinking of you today - good luck
PP - just caught up with your neighbour problems. Hope it wasn't too bad I remember the years of being on the phone to the police/enviro health all the time, it was stressful enough when I wasn't pregnant so do feel for you. Hope you managed to get some sleep.
Right, best try and work out where to start with putting things back today. But it means speaking to dh and well, we haven't really spoken properly since last night (his mood changed all of a sudden and apparently he was 'bored' but the way it was said it was like he was bored of family life, thought of baby etc? )
Sun's out here so hope it's a nice day for the rest of you
dramaq - oh no about washing machine. What do you need towels for to take into hospital? Speaking of towels, I need lots of old towels (or cheap ones that can be thrown after) for the birth if I get this at home. Must start getting stuff! Anyway, enjoy your Sunday lunch
Dramaqueen - OK we'll be eating partners after the birth, and urge each other to eat good, healthy things, that's reminded me - I must pack those choc digestives for the hospital!
what a shame about the black fluff,
Whinegums - hope you have a good time at the zoo.
Looney - I can see why you're upset about your parents changing their plans, surely they could do their travelling around at any time, and be based by you for a couple of weeks? Have you aksed them or did you assume that's what they'd be doing? Maybe they could travel but still be within an hour of you so that your Mum could still make it for the birth? Sorry to hear your dh is playing up.What does he mean by bored? Have you got to the bottom of it yet? That's all you need - a hormonal husband!! Take care
Talking about washing, I am being scarily efficient today, load number 3 has just gone in the maschine and second load out on line, while first load is on its way up to airing cupboard. Our tumble drier is broke at the moment (getting fixed next week) so will do towels later and take them to my mothers tomorrow
deb - didn't have to take towels in with ds 5 years ago (well, sure I didn't, if I did I've obviously forgotten). I'm just thinking about what I need in my hospital bag should I need to be there for the birth so maybe I ought to check on the towel situation?
As for my parents, they live 4 hours away and have my nan living with them who has dementia so I never expected them coming to be a possibility. Then a few months ago (some time after we were ok again after the fallout we had - you may remember mum read a thread about them on MN just after xmas), mum told me they were planning on coming down in their caravan etc. I was very pleased and surprised and since then we've played it by ear as to how nan is, as she'll be put in respite care for 2 weeks. We've talked about it several times since but not in detail as to location etc. as I didn't know it had changed. Anyway, they've obviously changed their plans now and I suppose with nan and limited respite (well, actually, they get a week off every 6 weeks), they feel it's hard to get away when they want to? They don't work though so it's not as hard as for others. Oh well, never mind, just feeling a bit lonely I suppose as once upon a time all the family were together and anything from 10-20 mins away. My parents moved away when ds was 3 months old (I had bad PND) and then bit by bit the family has disappeared.
Dh......I spoke to him (well, cried!). He said sorry and that he was just fed up with all the stuff that he'd been doing i.e. from coming home from work on Friday he'd emptied a lot of furniture from our bedroom and was at it til about 10/11pm then of course carpet was fitted yesterday morning and since he'd been filling bits of coving then putting furniture back in and fitting to the walls etc. I did remind him that I carried several boxes, bin bags, 2 bedside tables with 3 draws each etc. downstairs and put in the playroom. He said he knows and I shouldn't have in my condition etc. but thanked me. He's just fed up with doing all this housey stuff every weekend but he's the one who decided to start decorating our room a couple of months ago and it's not my fault it's all gone wrong! I was upset because he wouldn't even look at me last night, like he couldn't stand me. He's now saying he was just in a foul mood, that's all. I do hope that's all it was as we've had enough problems with our marriage over the last year or so and I thought we were ok now. What doesn't help is that although dh is almost 47, he's been hanging around a lot with a 25 year old lad at work who's all care free, no kids and lives on his own etc. and I think dh gets annoyed with our money concerns etc. and how we have to be careful but hey....that's married life with kids, he's NOT 25 and single FFS!!!
Sorry, what a LONG post!! Didn't mean to be all me, me, me
Off to sort some stuff in ds's room and then when dh can get to the pack, I'll build the new set of draws we got delivered on Friday (dh forgets I'm knackered and fed up too!! )
Hi looneytune - not convinced they provide towels at the hospital, and if they do they'll probably be tiny thread-bare ones. Sorry to hear that you and DH not getting on so well btw - my DH and I went through something this a while ago.
We hadn't done anything 'fun' for ages and life seemed to revolve around work, watching tv at home, me studying and general baby stuff. We were both feeling a bit bored and frustrated with it all. We made some plans for pregnancy friendly 'us' time and that seemed to help. We've got some lovely days out planned over next few weeks too so we're really looking forward to that.
Have fun at the zoo whinegums - our pram arriving on Wed and I cant wait!
General query to you guys with guests houses etc - any top tips on ironing sheets (I guess you must have to do a lot of that unless you have some fancy machinery)? Ironing sheets is the bane of my life, and no matter how long I spend doing it they always end up looking crumpled still when I make the bed. I know some might say life is too short to iron bed linen, but even though I never tumble dry sheets etc they still look really really crumpled once they have been washed. I'm always jealous of folk who say that they stick to clothes that never need ironed too - no matter what I do, everything needs ironing!
Hi Guys- it's all sounding very last month- with aches and pains, bag packing and house-sorting and clothes not fitting or falling down.
I've been having food dreams- the fridge only had yellow food in it- parmesan, eggs and yellow pepper. (Whinegums - I'm sure you could do great things with that; I've printed off your list of freezer foods from prev thread...) Then a dream about going to a "broccoli spa" where everyone was given a head of broccoli to take in with them and as it cooked in the heat of the pools and stream rooms you could eat it... Woke v hungry. Then, in RL, for breakfast, DD grabbed her Weetabix before I had the chance to pour milk on it and insisted on eating it dry.
Talking of food, can I join up with you Deb and DQ on the needing to loose weight front... But DQ- why all the ironing? We only iron DH's work shirts here and the occasional linen thing. I consider lying in bed to be equivalent to ironing the sheets! BTW I didn't need to take towels into hosp- don't know if it varies form one to another. The staff were brilliant at clearing up all manner of ills.
Looney, I hope you and DH get some time away from the house stuff- even a little bit of time. There have been frayed tempers in the Pear-house as we are trying to do so much and we seem to spend all weekends putting furniture together, painting, moving stuff around as well as keeping DD out of trouble... Then last weekend I found a handyman in the Yellow Pages. He was a retired builder and only charged £10/ hour and has since done a couple of days work putting together furniture and finishing painting jobs. Money well spent. I also planned a splash about in the local pool which really raised all of our spirits and made us feel like a unit again.
I hope your mum can make it to you when you go into labour- I'm having to rely on a friend being available to babysit DD. I have a short list of people who I need to ask if they wouldn't mind being woken up at 3am with the emergency call.. I have zero family this side of Brisbane(!) and I do feel nervous about asking people but I know I'd be there in a flash to help them out if they needed it.
Most of our clothes look too crumpled to me if they dont get ironed peartart - no matter what I buy/do I just never seem to have those 'dont need to be ironed clothes' .
Re: sheets/bed clothes - I just like them to look nice when I've tidied the bedrooms and put clean sheets on, and they come out of the wash very crumpled.
With regards to hospitals I think it really varies Trust to Trust what is provided. My local hospital doesn't seem to provide anything and I know other people get nappies, maternity pads etc.
I am still getting these bloody contractions, they were down to every six mins this morning and getting quite sore. I got all excited and jumped up to have shower and pack some clothes for ds, but they stopped still getting the odd one - so frustrating!!
G43 hope everything goes well tonight, very jealous you may get to meet your baby today/tom.
TGF Hope you're ok, I know how difficult it must be esp when you have gone to so much trouble to ensure a natural arrival for your lo. I hope lo will turn or ecv will work.
Re Towels , I went on my antenatal refresher the other day and you can use hospital towels but they are quite small and not very soft. I will use them anyway as I don't want to get blood all over my own towels, and I don't have enough room in the hospital bag!
I figure if I change my mind dh can always bring stuff in!
DQ - thanks for your post, you reminded me that only a few weeks ago we had a big heart to heart about all work and no play and how we need to make a big effort. We then went to Legoland which was ok but maybe not so good when this pregnant . That was a couple of weekends ago. Apart from that, we hadn't done anything for ages and ages. I've now spoken to dh and we're going to do something as a family one day next weekend which will be something to look forward to As for ironing, we also only iron dh's shirts and on the odd occasion I iron something because going somewhere special or whatever. As long as you hang up as soon as things are washed and let them dry, they rarely NEED ironing - it just depends on how you look at them
PearTart - lol at your dream. I had a weird dream which at some point had me standing up doing a wee (which I admit I've had to start doing as feel desperate yet baby is stopping it coming out when sitting, sorry TMI) and I've just remembered that I had my first dream with baby being here. Don't remember the birth or anything, just having his first breast feed and it was perfect (unlike with ds where I had hospital staff grabbing my nipple and shoving it in ds's mouth ) As for your handyman, sounds like money well spent. Just wish we had some to spare but we're actually in desperate need of getting a loan to pay off the overdraft and 2 credit cards and having big problems. We're worried about when I'm on Maternity Leave and hardly getting anything for the 12 weeks I'm off. Anyway, I know what you mean about tempers etc. so I think you definitely did the right thing. Pleased you had a nice time splashing about, it's important to remember to have fun at times isn't it!
Well, back to building the unit. I cleared ds's room first and then decided to make us all sausage sarnies as I couldn't get the idea out of my head thanks to Sophie earlier They were yum and now it's time to get back to it. I have to have this house looking normal again for tomorrow morning when mindees are back!
Katyjo - how annoying these contractions are!! Not fair that you keep having to go through all that. Have you been checked by midwife? Are they making you dilate at all?
Glad to be of help looneytune - I hope you enjoy your family day out. Re: ironing - there's no way that DH would get freshly ironed shirts while I went off to work in something I felt was still crumpled . It's just a personal preference though and I do like most things freshly ironed! I just wish I knew of an easier way to iron sheets .
katyjo - very exciting on the contractions front, keep us posted.
Right I need to go get ready for arrival of guests!
PP, sounds totally hellish. I'd really really hate to have such crap from neighbours ( have had neighbour problems before and it was miserable but nothing on your scale) really hope you get out of there asap.
loony, sorry about your parents and your dh being all flakey and hormoanal (spelling mistake intentional). Not what you need right now.
Deb, it's raining here too, but at least it's a couple of degrees cooler.
YOu know I said about my itchy belly button yesterday? Well, it's just as bad/even worse today, and this morning I had a rash around my belly button, which has now spread all over my bump. It is so painfully itchy. I've never had this before. Anyone else got it, or do I have to go to the docs? I swear, I've never been so itchy in my life
no take aways really in ch.
we had an indian last night and it was a bit weird tbh. The bloke who delivered it asked where we were from though and said next time we order, to tell them we're English and they'll make it different for us. (?)
DH - birthday - was thinking of digital radio, but they looked a bit crap, so then thought of internet radio, but we've got a few places where the wilan doesn't work, he likes gadgets and cycling,but can't get him a new bike, too personal, so totally stumped, and it's tomorrow. Ideas anyone? Hopeful.
hi all -not been on for a few days and things certainly more quickly.
katyjo how frustrating - keeping fingers crossed for you that lo hatches soon.
am sort of admiring of dq -is source of amusement/irritation to Dh that I'm oblivious to being house proud in any way and that includes ironing so he is prepared to pay to get it done (just as well as will be in for a long wait for me to do it..esp when baby arrives)
Hadnt thought about towels etc but quite timely as today I WILL pack my hospital bag - dh has just pointed out that now at same point that dss was born and not packing it is not a failsafe way of making sure she doesn't arrive til I want to...
Only 3 more days in work... can' wait..
Also feel bit for not keeping up but have I missed any more new arrivals apart from neenz and potential imminent new arrivals for G43 and katyjo...
Gosh this moves quickly! Sorry to hear your news greenfairy, you were so well-prepared for the hb. Sending you spinning vibes - you never know! I am sure you and baby will be fine whatever happens, and I have had lots of good reports from friends who've had cs for various reasons, but I do think your RL friends should still be more understanding about how you are feeling right now as you deal with your disappointment and come to terms with the new situation.
Whoever it was who was asking about washing baby clothes, I did all ds' in Fairy non-bio (being good) and then it turned out he was allergic to it so had to do them all again once we got him home! I have now washed all the new ones in ds' dermatological stuff, in case this new baby is the same - but really, you can't tell in advance what they might react to so I could just as well have left them. Tip: if at all unsure of baby's size I'd take a range of sizes of baby clothes into hospital, at least one outfit bigger / smaller than newborn. At 9 lb 15 ds did not fit into anything I had brought in for him and dp had to make an emergency trip to Boots!
looneytune sorry to hear about your parents. I had similar with my mum. We talked about when it would be best for her to come, and agreed I would need most help 2 weeks after the birth, when dp goes back to work after paternity leave. The very next phonecall she announced she had arranged to have family visitors for the second 2 weeks in June - those exact 2 weeks when I'd said she would be most needed, if baby comes around due date. And of course she will be preparing for and clearing up after the visitors for a while too, not to mention catching up at work. It had taken a lot for me to say I might need her - things are a bit complicated - so it felt like a real kick in the teeth. I have come to terms with it now, and we are back to the normal state of affairs, which is not assuming any support from her, which feels much safer than risking being vulnerable with her. But it did make me feel that there was no-one 'grown-up' left to look after me (which is silly at the age of 35 but ...).
Since then, though, dp's mum has quietly booked 2 weeks of her (limited) annual leave around my due date and just let us know she's there for us that whole time should we need her, without imposing herself. A lovely thing to do, which made me feel all safe again, so I shouldn't complain.
Oh and I don't iron clothes or shirts, let alone sheets .
Feeling very clean and tidy now LO can come whenshe wants too!!! legs, nails and ladygarden all done thanks to DP!!!!!!
Now off to make a cake with DP help as really fancy apple cake for tea and have friends coming round for "merienda"
Have scanned posts from today so hope havent missed anything
Hugs to anyone feeling down
Oh and i dont iron anything!!if it comes out of cupboard creased then it gets ironed before you put it on and sheets eventually decrease themselves!!!!!!!!
The only things I iron are school uniforms and dh's work shirts - my mum irons everything, including her underwear!
Ernest, that itchy rash sounds awful. I would definitely get it checked out as I think they get suspicious of pg ladies being overly itchy around this time.
I must, must pack a hospital bag. I keep putting it off and thinking I have ages but it is only 4 weeks today so it is definitely on the agenda for next week.
I agree that you should get rash checked out Ernest. Bit stumped re: ideas for bday present though.
I promise I dont iron underwear. Or towels for that matter.
Am feeling stuffed after Sunday lunch with friends so off to put feet up. Didn't really enjoy my small glass of wine due to heartburn. Am looking forward to one day being able to entertain and have a couple of glasses of wine. I know it'll be a while though...
Oops, turned my back on the thread (for a lovely weekend with DH who has now gone back and will have a 6 hour journey on the train ) and missed a whole new thread! Ooh, where to start...
Essie's household hints I washed all my little babygros but like DQ, because they look cute. I also fold and unfold them. Daily. I'm such a weirdo... No top tips on the ironing, and was flicking really quickly though the thread to see if anyone had anything genius. My lovely 'crisp cotton' duvet cover is kingsize - but tends to be more crunched cotton. But it doesn't fit on my ironing board, even folded in half! Grr. Who was it with the towels? I've just discovered colour catchers. They're great for colour incidents - I've had a few recently - and rather humorously, the advert shows a pregnant woman putting a mixed load (with colour catcher!) in her machine. Must be a hormone thing.
Today, MW came and for the first time since before easter, no protein in the urine! Halleluiah! We did a birth plan, but this is bizarre - I've stopped feeling pregnant. I'm actually feeling quite good and haven't been sick for a week now, but this is so strange. I keep waking up in the night and panicking because I notice my bump: I don't expect it to be there! I've also stopped thinking in terms of having a baby - I was looking forward so much (and worrying loads) but suddenly it's as if it won't happen. No idea why. I feel like I'm on this thread as a spectator and not a participant! Anyhow, fingers crossed because I don't want to go overdue, and my bump has dropped (I had a wineglass cup-of-tea shelf under my boobs and it's gone!) and I'm in the loo every 15 minutes (and when I've just been, I need to go again...). So maybe he's getting ready? Anyone know about these things? Doing the tea from the herbalist (it's called 'womb tea' and is ok, if a little grassy) and also taking a tincture. I so do not want to go overdue!
Hi again, zoo was good fun, weather better than we'd hoped. Have to admit it was almost as much fun watching some of the other people in there as much as the animals... Was quite horrified at how one 'father' was treating a toddler - had his face in his and shouting at him for crying! FGS! Anyway, nice day out, but my back was killing me by the end!
Towel dilemma - I'm going to use the hospital ones for all the messy bits, and will take a hand towel or two for face/hair.
Looney, sorry to hear about your folks as well. My mum will not come up to see us - she relied on my dad for everything, and he died a couple of years ago - so she will not do anything like get a train by herself! No independence! DP did volunteer to go and get her, but it's 3.5 hrs each way, and not really fair on him - and I don't want him spending the best part of 2 days of his paternity leave ferrying my mum around. Also, in two minds about having her staying with us anyway at that time - we don't have a massive house! - think it might be a bit of headf* with three adults and a newborn after all.
Ernest, get your itching checked - if it's harmless, I'm sure your doc can give you something to cool it down.
Can't be doing with ironing either - love crisply laundered sheets, but not enough to do them myself! Might treat myself to sending a load of stuff off to be ironed when monster arrives though!
Pear Tart, love your crazy yellow food/brocolli dreams!!! What on earth were they about!
Thanks for all your support yesterday re DS's chicken pox and my going-out dilemma. DS is covered in spots and looks DREADFUL. Every few hours he has a crying jag (most unlike him!) but other than that, is pretty cheery. DH is taking tomorrow off and because I'm working at home, I've been able to do enough hours this and last weekend to justify taking Tuesd
when I was at hospital last weekend so I think they definitely dont keep you in any longer than necessary round here! Fingers crossed I get my early discharge though.
. No worries about that in Edinburgh I think! 
I wash secondhand/old stuff that's been stored away but not new.I've washed bedding as it had been stored and new muslin cloths because they were a bit stiff otherwise. 
xxx 
about your takeaway. We can get a pizza in the village ( on some nights) and that's it, there was a Chinese in the next town but it's closed down. 
