January 2011 - New year, new baby! - 2nd Trimester

[mummychicken]

Got there first - thanks Sarrita for the suggestion!!

For scared mummies two books:

Hypnobirthing with CD by Marie Mongan
Helps you deal with the fear around birth and being positive and relaxed.

Here it is on Google Books

And for looking after a newborn - brilliant tips to get you through the first three months:
Baby Bliss by Dr Harvey Karp

Here it is on Amazon

You will all be fine

I am reading the Mongan Hypnobirthing book, its v.interesting! :)

Had a bit of a crap evening last night - someone mock me!
Kicked over (yes kicked) an entire pint of orange squash narrowly missing one of the cats resulting in me leaping up as I thought the laptop was on the floor and disaster was iminent, which fortunately it wasnt- and have made the SPD 10 times worse just as I was feeling better for not being at work
Then woke up half an hour after being in bed like a beached whale, all shaky and nearly threw up, had awful stomach ache and noticed that the top bit of my belly button has started to stick out - since yesterday afternoon - and now bump seems like she is in the wrong place, she seems loads lower down but last night seemed really high up? is this possible?

Then to top it off, went to the drop in centre by me only to find it shut after I had struggled up the road in pain on my crutches just to make sure bump is ok

Sorry rant over. hope others are having a reasonable day xx

Oh Kitty that sounds rubbish. hope you have a quieter evening and good night's kip. xx

Week 37+4

Congratulations to SunOverStars and your partner. Our first Jan thread baby - I'm delighted for you both :) Shame on the doctor for being so matter of fact and insensitive with you. I hope you get to bring Elias home real soon. x x x

Like many of you, I'm finding sleeping at night really difficult what with heartburn and mild cramping so I'm napping throughout the day. Hormones are all over the place - I'm really snappy with DP. I get so overwhelmed with cleaning the house and trying to sort out Christmas prezzies.
I'm envious of you FunkyMonkey1083 being 3/5th engaged. My bump is still really 'high'.

Hope you had a better night luckykitty

Hi all,

Will you accept another member?

I'm due on the 23rd of Jan with my 2nd; DS1 is 18months now.

Hi all

33+5 and only tomorrow and monday left to work and then I get to spend my days snuggling with Erin, although an inquisitive 11 month old hardly has time to sit still never mind snuggles.

Congratulations stars and DP, glad to hear baby doing well, fingers crossed he'll zoom along and be home for christmas.

BH started with vengenance and tres painful, although still managing to sleep well, which is a bonus.

will address other post when i get to read in peace later.

hope your all well x

Can I join in? EDD is Jan. 30th with number 2. DS1 is coming up to 19 months.

Have been so busy working/looking after DS1 this time I don't feel like I've done any preparation yet this time. MW put the wind up me today by pointing out I better pack my hospital bag before going away for Christmas.

welcome elk and sausage

name panic! haven't got a name! have a few on the short list but DH and I aren't that keen on each other's favourites and all the ones we like are now in the top 10 list.

Irrational panic that we'll go for something and then think of a better one when it's too late!

Tired. Nearly weekend . Really don't know how you mums with toddlers do this.

hello new people!

Had better day today, no disasters so thats a winner. MW in the morning, hopefully also a winner.

Hope everyones doing ok :)

Had my latest dr appointment yesterday. All looking good. Baby is still head down and looks like she's sitting in the 75th% for size. Bless the dr he was trying to say "yes, the baby is big" without actually having to say it.

We went through my birth plan and he suggested I change/queried a couple of things. Nothing major so I'm happy with the changes. If anyone needs help I suggest the birth plan maker on earth mama angel baby. There are some things that are a bit American or might not be relevant to you or even are too "earth mamaish" but I did the plan and re wrote it as I saw fit.

REALLY suffering with heartburn now but had a good day today with a solo lunch at my favourite cafe (poached salmon on sourdough with minty yogurt dressing yummmmm) and then a mani pedi. Also bought a humidifier as it is soooo dry here and an oil heater for the cold.

DH now away until next sunday so legs crossed for me and hope you're all well.

Hi all and welcome to Elk and sausage

How is Elias doing stars?

berrycravings has LO turned or are you gettting a scan? My scan is next week, very sure baby is still head down, but still think is lying with head facing to one side.

macmomo do you get to know your exam results quickly? Sure you can't wait to be back home. We are struggling for a boy's name but have picked a girl's one. OH so convinced we are having a boy he maybe just agreed with my favourite girl name suggestion!

Glad you had a better day kitty, how did MW go?

Def keep those legs crossed beijingaling

Suffering like a few of you with lack of sleep - due to period like pains, heartburn, frequent toilet visits and just waking up and being wide awake. Have had max of 2 1/2hr sleep at a stretch in the last few weeks. This morning I did wonder how would I deal with labour when I am this tired.

Also having spells of being breathless. It's a real pest, especially as I can get it sitting and even lying down. It's supposed to get better as baby gets lower.

Hello all:

first of all congrats to stars and baby elias!

Welcome new members sausage and elk, and plenty of sleep vibes for all the ladies. Boy, do we need them.

This is my first day on maternity leave and I don't know what to do with myself: tidy the house? cook for the freezer? tackle the mound of baby clothes to sort and wash? Go back to bed?

I think the baby is still breech and I really really hope she'll turn before birth. I am terrified of the idea of a CS, having a toddler to deal with, and having no help around as my parents live abroad. Thing is, i suspect she likes it this way!

I've gone from occasional heartburn to CONSTANT burning heartburn. I've got gaviscon and bicarbonate (undignified). Any additional tips?

Week 37+5

Welcome to elk4baby and sausagedoesnotroll. how have your pregnancies been so far?

I'm also having name panic MacMomo. We've had a steady shortlist of traditional names for months. Dunno if it's hormones but I'm starting to hate the names we've chosen and keep having moments of madness inspiration where I'm convinced I've got the perfect name and then I can't wait to tell DP and he's like eh?? !!

I'm sorry to hear about your heartburn Pacita. urrgh... I've been eating a lot of natural yoghurt and it seems to be working for me.

hi everyone

37 weeks

welcome sausage (love the name i cant stop giggling lol)

we havent agreed on babys name yet, but somehow i am not that bothered anymore.i am more focus on the birth going well and baby and i ok too.

walkthedog i got the same feeling about birth i am sometimes so tired about not getting enough sleep between, trips to the loo, the cats keeping me up and now a constant headache for 3 weeks(going to gp today about it, i bet they ll say they cant do nothing but we ll c), that i am wondering , what if i was going into labor now? no way i can push for 2 hours .
i envy people who manage having a nap, i ve tried but cant sleep in the middle of the day. wish i was like my cats sometimes lol

7 more sleeps and I can go home! Yay! Exam results fairly instant so no stress afterwards.

Next MW is next Fri - will be almost 37 weeks. Probably time to agree the birth plan with her? She hasn't mentioned it yet. Can I just write one and bring it with me or does someone need to actually sign it as agreed?

Just a general observation: the MWs seem very nice and all, but I've seen my 'lead' one only twice and the 'second' only once. Then they tell me that they work alternate weeks and only 3 days a week each. Statistically, I have a less than 50% chance of either of them being on duty when I labour (I know it will cover several shift changes etc).

My greatest labour worry is the MWs p*ssing me off. Have read such awful things on MN about birthing experiences etc. Just feeling a bit after having so few MW appointments in total (3) and the general idea of having a bunch of total strangers 'helping' me in labour.

pacita sleep!

hi macmomo there are 13 midwifes looking after the area i live in. i ve only met a couple of them. so the chances of having someone i know for the birth are really slim. i think we probably wont even see/notice who is "helping" us when we are in labor!

I don't want to sound like a pessimist, but re birth plans, the only thing I would say is please only treat it as a very general plan. No one knows what their labour will be like, the only outcome that matters is healthy baby and mum. Its hard if not impossible to plan, so be prepared for any plans you do make to go out of the window.

Also remember there is respite between each contraction and that once each one is gone its gone forever and is bringing you closer to meeting your baby.

As for midwives, we have community midwives here so you don't see them during labour unless you're having a home birth anyway. I wouldn't worry too much about who you see in labour. Make sure your birthing partner knows how you feel about certain things and is aware of your plan, and happy with it, but also make it clear to them that in the throes of labout you want them to support you but also be prepared for you to completely change your mind about things like pain relief!!

For relaxing and napping, I recommend any natal hynotherapy cds. I've got a couple and never heard more than a few minutes. I haven't bothered this time around because I'm too darn busy with house and toddler, but last time they were great and I often slept in the afternoon for a while. Also prenatal yoga is great for relaxation. My yoga teacher sells a relaxing cd, her website is called yogabumpsandbabies if you're interested.

Take care all xx

Hi again all,

I must say my pg hasn't been that bad so far (33+5), aside from the common complaints:
Although sciatica has been back with a vengeance from about 16 weeks - the added bonus is that it's not on both sides, rather than one like with DS.
Heartburn is a PITA from about 27 weeks :(, but had that before so made sure I had a good stash of Gaviscon. Have to chew one at night sometimes too, as the heartburn wakes me up.
The constant need to be near a loo is annoying. I haven't slept for more than 2 hours at a time for months now... feels like I have a newborn all over again .
But, other than that I'm really enjoying it this time around - trying to savour every minute :). I remember missing being pregnant sooo much after DS was born. [weirdo emoticon]

Btw, does anyone have any tips on motivating oneself to exercie (even a little! would be useful). I haven't bothered for weeks now :( and have been living on cookies and ice cream for the past month .

Elk - thanks god for that! I am not the only one who has abandoned all attepts at exercise and am currently chowing down on a tin of M&S belgian biccies. Tbh up here in snowy North Yorkshire it has been too hard to leave the house except to get to and from work, with the perilous conditions. Finally bought a nursing bra today as well, very comfortable. Really tired now - like all of you have not had more than a two hour stretch for aaaaaaages. Then get up at 6.15 to teach, it has been hard work and I cannot wait til next week! Good to hear the news etc

Hey everyone hope youre all ok :)

MW went really well - shocking! Bump is happy, 4/5 engaged, pee was fine, BP was lower than its been for ages and the whole period-pain thing is apparently normal :)
For all the falling apart Ive been doing I was quite impressed that its all good for a change!

I amused the midwife by asking if bump is definately in the right position to be heading 'for the escape hatch' and was pleased that she is, I had kinda convinced myself that she was in a knot cause she keeps moving, well flapping, a lot, so I thought something must be wrong.
I hope those babies who are breech turn round for you - is this any good?

Hope youre all having a peaceful evening and it doesnt involve having to get up at 3am cause there is no chance of getting remotely comfy and resulting to watching 10 years younger on TV and trying to have a civislised conversation with two cats

36 weeks

MW appointment - all fine. Baby right way and head in my pelvis.

Feeling a bit knackered with trudging around in the slush and skidding the car. But took DS to see Gruffallo- which he loved. So trudge was worth it!

Welcome elk and sausage.

Lots of girl names and no boy names - so convinced it will be a boy as a result.

Have washed baby clothes/blankets and little cardies for the arrival - told DH which bag they are in. Put mamasunshine's hospital bag list on my desktop for DH incase I go into labour. Got some nappies/wipes/pads. Just have to do my tax return and then I feel I am ready!

Had a wax today and tried to get my eyelashes tinted, but the stuff was agony to had to get it whipped off before it got a chance to do its magic :( At least I don't have a 70s muff now!

MacMom I agree with jobi not to worry about who you see when you give birth. You will have your birthpartner with you who you trust. I had about three midwives with DS as I was there for a few shifts. The baby will come out which ever way it will. Just focus on how incredible it will be to meet this little person.

Re: negative birth stories - they are just that - stories. It's not much of a tale to tell when it all went fine - so those aren't the stories you hear. All my MW's were fine. And they were all supportive and encouraging. I got the room I wanted and I got a go in the birth pool - and I gave birth in 'the busiest birthing centre in Europe'!

sarrita glad all is well!

Thanks luckykitty.

Reading hypnobirthing book, but haven't got around to listening to the CD yet.

Glad all well at mw visits. Spot on Sarrita, its so true that negative is more discussion worthy. I didn't have the best experience but the staff were great by & large & I certainly wouldn't worry about that.

Jobi1 fair point regarding birth plans. I'll be going to an American hospital with Chinese staff and there are cultural misunderstandings and differences so there are some things I've been very clear about (like no sugar water and formula) but there is little I've put in regarding the birth that is set in stone (eg Please discuss my pain relief options, I'm open to a C-section, please help me with skin to skin contact straight after the birth etc).

Part of it is because I don't know what is routine here. All the things I've changed & removed have been because the dr has said "but we don't do that anyway."

I've just been told by a friend of mine that she had a dr come in 24 hours after the birth to tell her that if they didn't give her perfectly healthy new born formula immediately then he would die (quote: "we've lost some because they haven't been given formula") as her milk hadn't come in yet.

Glad everyone is still doing fine.