Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Birth clubs

Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

Due SEPTEMBER thread 14 - here we go ...

560 replies

franch · 30/08/2005 12:45

I am NOT superstitious but ..... couldn't bear the thread that took us into September to be #13 !!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Redhelen · 01/09/2005 11:46

Really sorry to hear your news ladyl.

Tried sex, pinapple, rasberry leaf tea and labour ball - nothing has worked! I'm so tired today - I'm just staring blankly at people & things!- apparently its unnerving!

Take carexx

zubb · 01/09/2005 11:50

sorry to hear about your nan LadyL.

Didn't sleep well last night either - seems to have been a bad night all round. Ds2 woke up twice which is really unusual, so between that, the heat and needing the loo I didn't get much sleep.

39 weeks today so could happen anytime now, but I do think he'll be a few days late - no idea why as I had one early and one late so there's no pattern to it.

Really slowing down now though, and work is sporadic to say the least!

KiwiKate · 01/09/2005 11:57

rh - that leaves clary sage & curry, or visualisation!! (any others that I missed?)

or good old mother nature

PiccadillyCircus · 01/09/2005 11:57

Sorry to hear your news ladylazarus .

I haven't really been doing anything to encourage this baby out although I think that might have been because I do want a September baby. And now it is September maybe I will actually take my raspberry leaf tablets, contemplate the idea of sex - really can't imagine doing that at the moment and eat pineapple curry.

Was talking to DH last night about oral sex meant to be a good way to get the relevant hormones in and on hearing that this meant him getting pleasure out it was rather keen . He had thought it would need to be the other way round (don't know what hormones he's got in his mouth).

Saw midwife yesterday, baby still in position undefined so will go to hospital on Monday where she said if it is breech they will try ECV and if that doesn't work I would probably get booked in for a c-section next week. As some of you might have gathered from my postings, I would not want that happening on Thursday (being my birthday).

DH's mum and sister are coming in a while to babysit me. Had better tidy up first and get dressed (which I know sounds silly, but I still want to maintain the thought of me being organised). Took a very long time to get DS to go to cot; knew he was tired but involved a lot of fighting. Am worrying about how on earth I will cope with two but I suppose it is a bit late to think about that now .

PiccadillyCircus · 01/09/2005 11:59

Oh, I think it was a general night for sleeping badly - I was up and down like a yoyo and felt like urgh when DS woke up at 6:45 or so. Hoping for a better night tonight (and will also have a sleep when babysitters come round )

mummyhill · 01/09/2005 12:02

found this on diy inductions is a bit long but might help!!!

DIY Home Inductions
� Raspberry Leaf Tea � tastes disgusting but can be bought in tablet form which tastes much nicer. The best source I�ve found is Goodness Direct who don�t charge postage and packaging and deliver incredibly quickly. Raspberry leaf tea is a uterine tonic and is useful for childbirth as well. Some people swear by it others say it�s a load of rubbish. For me the jury is still out.
� Sex � Semen contains prostaglandins which help prepare the cervix and prostaglandin jelly is regularly used to medically induce labours. There does seem to be some debate about orgasms and positions but my midwife suggested the best is to have sex because you want to, don�t try to achieve an orgasm and finish on all fours and remain like that for 5 or at least 10 minutes to bathe the cervix in all those lovely hormones.
� Evening Primrose Oil - 2-3 capsules high in the vagina, repeat 2-3x 24hr intervals I�ve not tried this but it�s another version of prostaglandin. You can take evening primrose oil, orally, in the last four weeks of your pregnancy. You should take three evening primrose oil capsules daily for the first week (36th week of gestation) and then one to two capsules a day for the last three weeks of pregnancy.
� Castor oil - may cause irritability in uterus, non-labour contractions, also ends constipation/induces runs, serve in orange juice, root beer float or other drink; 1-4 Tbsp in drink (in 2 doses) The problem with castor oil, besides making you miserable and not always working, is that it can cause the baby to pass meconium in the uterus because the castor oil causes a relaxation of sphincters. It has also been noted to cause increased blood pressure.
� Nipple stimulation � rub your nipples for one hour three times a day; this is to produce the hormone oxytocin which can naturally stimulate labour.
� Cervical massage - 2 o'clock spot on cervix, rub for as long as 30 minutes. slowly and gently although it seems physically impossible to comfortable reach your cervix yourself when 38 weeks pregnant.
� Caulophyllum 200 - 1 tablet 1/4 hourly for 1 hour then 1 tab hourly for another 4 hours.
� Sweeping of the membranes - that is moving the tough membrane covering of the cervix aside. This can be painful but effective. And because it does not involve drugs it has few adverse effects for you or your baby. You need to request your midwife perform this procedure.
� Aromatherapy � There seems to be some argument over which oils are safe to use during pregnancy so if you are in any doubt ask a qualified aromatherapist. Lavender is a versatile oil which can be emotionally calming, sedating, and relaxing. It can help regulate contractions and is also a good antiseptic. Some manufacturers recommend that you do not use lavender during pregnancy. Clary sage can help ease stress and tension and make contractions more efficient. It is an antispasmodic oil so can relieve cramp. Peppermint is cooling and refreshing. Useful in relieving headache, nausea and vomiting. Eucalyptus has many of the same properties as peppermint and mixing the two is often very effective particularly for headaches. Alone it can help relieve nasal congestion and is an effective antiseptic. Camomile is an anti-inflammatory. It can calm and soothe the emotions. Frankincense is useful in cases of hyperventilation as it slows and deepens breathing. It can calm anxiety and is useful for asthmatics. Jasmine is a potent antidepressant and relaxant. Rose is also an antidepressant and calming for frayed nerves. Lemon and mandarin are refreshing, uplifting, and cooling they can be mixed with other oils to enhance their effect. Waiting for Baby Massage Blend 4 teaspoons Sweet Almond oil, 5 drops clary sage essential oil, 5 drops lavender essential oil, 3 drops geranium essential oil, 3 drops jasmine or rose, essential oil. If you are mixing essential oils, keep it simple - no more than five oils in a single mixture. Every women responds better to some oils than others. I use Quinessence to buy my oils.
� Acupuncture � try finding a local practitioner allegedly very useful in getting things moving.
� Acupressure � the best place for detailed information on acupressure points is here.

Had to do it this way as I can't do links sorry.

Katts · 01/09/2005 12:28

Well I've just put all the baby things in the wash and am having a tiny freak out. Have just realised that I have NO CLUE how to dress a baby for English weather. I'm from Florida and from what I remember from taking care of my sister keeping the baby warm just wasn't an issue.

So if anyone can give me some specific advice I'd really appreciate it! Particularly for bedtime and going out. How layered and wrapped up do they need to be??

LadyL, so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I know how hard it is not to be able to be there or to see her one last time. My grandparents have all passed on while I was away too.

mummyhill · 01/09/2005 12:33

Katts as a general rule vest and baby grow for sleeping with a thin blanket. For going out a vest and an outfit or babygrow. They only need to wear one layer more than we do. Ohh and a beanie hat as they loose heat out of top of head.

RedZuleika · 01/09/2005 12:52

I've no idea how to dress a baby, full stop! And don't get me started on the various nappy bits. Denial is working very well at this juncture...

I don't know why people complain about raspberry leaf tea - I think it tastes alright. Better than some herbal teas I've tried (Ayurvedic tea from Clipper, for instance: smells like curry powder and tastes like Beechams powder...). Don't like the smell of clary sage though.

Sorry to hear about your grandmother, LL. Both my grandmothers have lingered though - when they haven't been able to eat and hydration has been problematic, so in many ways I think it's good that the end is quick, when it comes. Difficult not to feel guilty, I know - but really only a complete idiot would blame either of us for not making it to funerals etc at this stage. Like I said before though, not making it to the hospital or funeral does make it all feel unreal.

Boompi · 01/09/2005 13:06

Cervical massage!! - who on earth could reach!!
I am also consused re baby clothes - so you use a vest and babygro at the same time? (if not v hot obviously)
Saw gp and I said 'hopefully anytime now..' and she replied 'well in the next couple of weeks' WEEKS?! Oh no...really dont want to be late.

pooka · 01/09/2005 13:11

I can't believe that it's my due date the day after tomorrow. The last few weeks seem to have really sped by.
Still no sign of onset of labour - my bump feels quite achey, but I think that's just because the baby is squishing my insides!
Veer from one minute thinking that am ready and just want the baby born to the next minute thinking that actually I'm not mentally ready yet and want to get the house sorted before it arrives.
It's in the lap of the gods really, anyway - nothing I can do, although probably from Sunday (once dh back from wedding) I'll start thinking about trying to encourage the babe to make an appearance.

Rhumba · 01/09/2005 13:31

Finished work at last.hurrah. Last few days have been very busy with long hours in the office (but it is beautifully airconed and by the time I got home it was much cooler anyway) My team were moving offices so i was franticly trying to print out various reports whilst everyone was packing everything (including my notes, printer...) Thank goodness it's all over.

Am feeling very lethagic today (Dh tells me that DS woke up crying in the night, not that I was awere!) Looking forward to next week when DS is at nursery and I can putter about, find baby stuff in the loft and pack my bags. Still have 4 weeks left and in no rush to cut short my time off before baby! Have booked to go away with a friend to a spa on Saturday/Sunday which am really looking forward. She's asked me to bring my mat notes and promised not to desert me if I do go into labour!!

Time for a nap I think before DS wakes up

franch · 01/09/2005 13:46

LadyL So sorry to hear about your grandmother.

pooka I feel exactly the same on the ready/not ready front. Every day there seems to be a reason for the baby not to come (I'm unwell / DD's unwell / flat is too messy / DH is too busy / it's too darn hot), but every time I get a twinge I just want this to be 'it'.

Had a curry too last night and my experience was the same as yours Boompi: heartburn but no baby. Hey ho

OP posts:
mummyhill · 01/09/2005 14:05

For those of you who are unsure about clothing baby the midwives at the hospital will be able to advise you. The reason for a short sleeved vest and a babygrow with arms and feet in is that baby does not have sufficient fat stores and cannot regulate their temperature. It is better to wrap them in layers of thin clothes so you can remove/add layers to keep them nice and taosty without overheating. Remember feet to foot in the cot as well!!!!!

Katts · 01/09/2005 14:49

Stupid question I know but is a vest one of those all in one things with no legs that snaps under the crotch.

And what about when when going out. Are little cardies good, when do you get the snowsuit out.

Sorry, but I didn't even know how to wear a scarf when I first came here.

Redhelen · 01/09/2005 15:04

Katts - I'd keep the snowsuit for December + (ds born in late December - but I never used his snowsuit - he used to sweat just trying it on!)- light cardies and jackets excellent for september/october, with a little hat - you can always use a baby blanket for cooler days.

Going to lay down! very tired today!!

Daisydot · 01/09/2005 15:04

Franch, thanks very much for your post. Sorry to hear that you are coughing well too. Thanks for the link, it was interesting/comformting to read. I had visions of coughing during contractions........ eeeekkk, not a pleasant thought!
This little babe is due on 17 September, a full moon baby! I am hoping (Freddie/Grace) will put in an early appearance. Am fed up of waddling around in this heat.
Am new to mumsnet so haven't posted very much so far. Have now added my name to your stats thread.

LL sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my mum just weeks before learning I was pregnant with my first baby. Tragically, we lost our daughter, Daisy, last year at the age of 6 (epilepsy). Life is not easy....
I read something recently which I will share..... "A funeral among men is a wedding feats among the angels". It's a nice thought...

Off for another hot lemon and honey with slices of fresh ginger bobbing around in it, just to ring the changes. What more could a girl ask for on a sunny Thursday afternoon?!! LOL

Daisydot · 01/09/2005 15:06

Sorry LL, should read feast and not feats!
Daisydot.

Redhelen · 01/09/2005 15:07

Katts - and yes vests are the suits with poppers at crotch - you can get sleeved and sleeveless - all my newborn vests are sleevless. Imagine I wont used any with sleeves too bulky.

Redhelen · 01/09/2005 15:14

oh Daisydot - I'm so sorry can't begin to imagine the pain of losing a child - your daughter Daisy was about the same age as my son -I'm thinking of you - must make your pregnancy a rather different expereince. Take care xxxxx

beatie · 01/09/2005 15:43

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter Daisydot.

beatie · 01/09/2005 15:46

Anyone have any remedies for toothache? My tooth has swelled up with pain overnight and I have had an agonising day trying to get by on paracetamol.

I hopefully will be able to see a dentist tomorrow although don't hold out much hope of them being able to do anything. The tooth has supposedly already had the nerve taken out many years ago. Obviously it was bodged else I would not be able to feel pain. I guess the treatment for it will be another root canal and they're not going to do that with me 39 weeks pregnant.

It's just one thing after another...

PiccadillyCircus · 01/09/2005 16:13

Tootache is not good at any time (says she who has a variety of filled in teeth). My own personal remedies have involved swishing warm water around my mouth, much tooth brushing, a teething liquid that DS has used sometimes (anbusol or some name like that that numbs the area. Don't think the name is exactly that but you can get it in pharmacies).

I think there has been a recent thread on toothaches and remedies - I'[ll have a look.

PiccadillyCircus · 01/09/2005 16:17

Found the thread here. Not sure how much natural remedies but I think it includes cloves.

Redhelen · 01/09/2005 16:17

beatie - a silly idea - but could you use any of the teething gels - that numb the area (preganacy allowing????)