Feb babies 2011 - We may not be glowing but we're definitely growing!

[Wanderingsheep]

The old thread was getting quite full so I took the liberty of starting a new one, I hope nobody minds! I thought I'd keep in with our glowing and growing theme (I'm not very creative, sorry).

zero - great news on your scan

angels - BUY THE CHAIR!!! I bought a low Ikea rocking chair and couldn't get out of the bloody thing! Then I tried an office chair and made do with that. The ONE thing I have promised myself this time IS a nice feeding chair. They have Dutailier look-a-likes on Ebay, new, for about £100. It has cushions on the arms (really important) and a gliding stool too. If I could find a Detailier one for £70 I would bite their hand off!

highland - I don't know if there is an 'official' age for sleeping bags, but we used them for DS1 from age 3 months to just under 2 years (at which point he could climb out of his cot). We bought 1 expensive Grobag one to get all the info and thermometers, then went for cheaper ones.

ledkr - have been thinking about you at work today. Hope it went ok.

Highlandlass you can put them in them from newborn. I have one that is 0-6 months that was DD's that I'll probably use again.

Ooh I forgot about the Halloween smileys!

[hsmile]
[hgrin]
[hhmm]
[hwink]
[hconfused]
[hbiscuit]

Oh! The last two don't work [hblush] [hangry]

I agree slaughteredsheep they are amazing. I never want Halloween to end now [hsmile]

highlandlass I'm going to be a miseryguts here and say that £0 is too much to spend on a changing bag because... well, they're just bags, aren't they? There must be a tasteful rucksack or shoulder back out there for not much more than a tenner that fits nappies and wipes but doesn't cost the earth because it isn't specifically designed for babies... but that's just my mean side coming out, obviously if you want it, just go for it, do whatever makes you feel happy.

Thanks everyone who said congrats for the scan. As it happens my day has just been slightly ruined by an argument with my mum who had a go at me for telling people about the sex. She currently doesn't know she has a granddaughter as I slammed the phone down.

Hope everyone else is enjoying, er, their Monday evening... um...

highlandlass I also used a grobag from birth (it's the only brand that says that this is ok due to the smaller head opening)

zero lovely news about your girl [hsmile]

angels I had a hauck glider for DD - I didn't really use it much though as found it more comfy to feed during the day on the sofa, and lying down snoozing in bed in the night - didn't watch a moment of TV during any night feed at all, mastering feeding whilst lying on my side is my biggest recommendation to those planning to breastfeed - DH was not disturbed at night at all either....
....but back to the glider - DH found it to be an excellent xbox playing chair, and was often asked by his man friends where he got it from (he didn't ever say that it was a baby feeding chair [hgrin]

deliaskis glad to hear that you're feeling better too.

Wow that was a long catch up, miss a few days on here and miss out!

Lovely to hear scan news! Zero, girls are fab! (as I'm sure boys are too, just have no experience of them!!)

Hope your day went well Ledkr, belated happy birthday too :-)

I have very slow hair growth which is brilliant as I'm usually a hairy beast It was the same with DD so who knows maybe another?! Having said that, everyone I know and I too, strongly sense a boy. Would be interesting to hear more experiences of this re sex of baby! I'm choosing a surprise (well have it enforced) but I'm still very curious!...

Maternity clothes, yeah eBay is the way to go, I'm so reluctant to spend much on them though desperately need jeans.

Knitter and needtosleep, got Ina May's guide to childbirth and have peeked and love it! I'm trying to be disciplined and finish the Sheila Kitzinger one first! Nearly there! As with Ina May she advocates home birth and had all 5 of hers at home. This book was first written in 1962 but has been updated, she's very inspiring. As with you Knitter, I will have a job convincing my mum and DP that hb is the way to go, far too unconventional & "risky" as far as they're concerned! Still there is the chance DP won't be here for the birth (hence hiring a Doula) so I'm dead set on it being my choice, is that selfish?! I'm the one going through it!

I'm waiting to meet the Doula, she has confirmed via email she can do it but has put of meeting me for a couple of weeks due to summer hols / kids & doesn't seem to want to get into any detail via email so it's a waiting game. Obviously I need to feel trust and to actually like her but I won't know till I meet her. Just wish she was more forthcoming! I'm still waiting for a reply as to actual date and time to meet in 2 weeks and that has been a week, just doesn't fill me with confidence, it all feels a bit half assed. AIBU?!

Itchy belly here too, on the Bio Oil now, lots of wriggles and kicks from bub too which is lovely :-)

EarlGrey, not selfish at all in wanting a HB! As you say it's you who has got to do it and you're the one who needs to feel the most comfortable. It is your experience and you need to be able to give birth in a way in which you feel comfortable with! Have you looked around for Doulas? I have no advice or experience personally but I know that there are a few on here if you wanted to start a thread for advice? There are probably threads in childbirth section already.

I quite fancy being a Doula myself but I don't drive so I bet that would make it impossible. Maybe I'll have to get off my arse and learn...

Zero, never fear about the smilies ending -we also get Burns night ones (?) and XMAS ones!!!! [spoiled emoticon] And at Easter Easter Bunny ones!

earlgrey no definitely not unreasonable, it's a huge pet peeve of mine when people don't respond to stuff instantly. Although I think I'm in the minority on that one, I've been told I'm too obsessed with punctuality and responding to stuff.

And I also don't think it's selfish to have a HB especially if you are low risk and aren't a million miles away from a hospital.

Hi SSheep, thanks for your thoughts, i have to agree, it's me going tjrough it and it's really important for me to feel confortable this time around. Yeah I've just posted on childbirth, wasn't sure of the best place for the thread, seemed the most likely! Yes I've found someone locally via her website. Ticks all the boxes on the surface but I don't feel entirely comfortable with her approach so far. I don't expect her to drop everything and meet immediately but emails have been sporadic, she's put off meeting (for understandable reasons) but I've waited a week for an email response to confirm time & date we are to meet in about 10 days. She has also come across as sounding a bit stressed. Hmmmm my gut instinct is saying nooo! I do know of someone else who works as a doula so will maybe give this one a few more days to get back to me then contact the other. Perhaps I'm being overly hormonally sensitive but it strikes me as being very rude to not attempt confirmation in under a week! This is a professional arrangement which I'll be paying for! Hey ho... Funny, I too have thought I'd love to be a Doula too! (another good reason to hire one!) I think there is definately a place for them, especially in hospital births where it seems, the midwives are there for the job of delivering alone.

Thanks zero! I feel better to know I'm not the only one getting peeved by this sort of thing!! The more I read of Sheila Kitzinger & Ina May, plus reflecting on my last birth experience, the more certain hb is what I want. I live in the city centre so very close to hospital and yes, despite my age I think I'm low risk!

Morning Ladies,

Love the haloween themed emoticons, and the thought of christmas themed ones is very exciting [hgrin].

Glad that feedback of rocking chairs is good - hope it's a nice chair (with no loud creeks with each rock etc) and we get it - am quite excited at the idea now. No idea which room we'll put it in though [hhmm]

needtosleep I'm getting quite uncomfy some nights too - can't imagine how uncomfy it must be by the end - I can see how sleep gets impossible. My friend had a pg pillow (not sure which one other than one of those long ones) and she swore by it - she tells me I must get one. I'm currently trying to make do with 4 pillows. I find my tummy pulls when I lie on my side and sort of twists my lower back and my legs get uncomfy too. Oh, and I have some box sets you can borrow - remind me (I have the memory of a sieve at the minute) and I will fb message you a list to see if you might want to borrow. I warn you I have bad taste in box sets [hgrin]

earlgrey YANBU in my opinion - I'd find waiting longer than a couple of work days for an email response is unprofessional when you are going to pay for a service (but then maybe I'm being unrealistic). There could be a reason why she hasn't responded (she could have flu or have computer probs or sth) but it would irritate me - if things don't click with her you'll need to find someone else and that all takes time. If it were me I'd probably send her another email to check she received my last one and ask that she contact you with date and time as you need to know so you can organise accordingly. I considered a doula but got a bit confused by it all and accrding to my hospital I will have a mw with me throughout labour (whether or not that will actually happen I'm unsure).

highlandlass changing bags all seem to be pricey for what they are. I think prof on here gave me a link a while ago that you can buy portable small changing mats for a few pounds and then just use a regular roomy bag. Luckily I got given an unused one that matches my second hand quinny which the previous owners had brought but then never used [hwink] . Guess it depends how flush you are feeling and how much you need to get.

morning ladies

trying to catch up with everything, congrats on your girl zero thats lovely news.

Loving the Halloweenicons too!

Earlgrey go for whatever suits you, dont do things to suit other people. Or you could be sneaky and not really commit to the homebirth, just tell the doula/midwife that you are keen so that you are prepped for one, and tell others that you just want to be at home for as long as possible (which most hopsitals advise anyway) but if you feel the need to go/the MW/Doula want to transfer you to hospital then you can go. You could say that things progressed too quickly to get to hospital (assuming all goes to plan) if bubba does come at home and it looks like an 'accidental' homebirth??

I was planning a HB first time round but was overdue and thus induced at 41+6 (wouldnt let them near me before then) but my MW did say all along they had a high 'transfer rate' for first time HB-ers (that could just be my area/borough) and not to feel disappointed if I ended up transferring.

Had a great HB second time round and hoping for more of the same this time [hsmile]

angels I got two pg pillows, the second one I bought had tiny little beads in it and its FAB as it moulds right around wherever you want. I bought a long straight one first time round and although was great for pg, was a nightmare for feeding with as it wouldnt mould and kept ping-ing out of place, resulting in arm ache! Or the V shaped ones might be good, havent tried those.

Am in process of selling/buying new car, hate selling cars, so dull. Like buying though! Any one got a Grand Scenic?

DS2 been poorly in hospital again with his 'asthma' (only just 2, so they dont really call it that yet but thats what it is by all accounts) so another fun filled week of little sleep [hsad] Poor little darling

Hope everyone is well

Hi angels, yes you without a lot of pregnancy & baby paraphernalia but you do need one of those pillows! I haven't started to use mine yet but couldn't be without it in the 3rd tri last time! I got it from JoJo Maman Bebe (is that company still going?). It is long & crescent shaped & is great for breastfeeding / feeding baby once they arrive just in getting comfy & supported.

Highlandlass, I agree with angels, most of these bags are pricey (& admittedly gorgeous!) depends on your budget. I was always conscious I wouldn't need it for long & would rather spend money on a nice handbag! I got a nice Samsonite one from TKMaxx with ladybird markings, cute & didn't cost the earth!

Toilet paper Tuesday I'm 7 and a large 3 quarters, ok virtually 8. I've grown!!

Nice to have a morning off with DD but better go & get ready to take her to nursery & me to work!

Have a good day everyone!

Thanks 40 weeks! Good plan... You're right, I shouldn't do things to please others, this is so important to me. Lovely to hear of your hb! Tell us more! Was it a water birth?

Angels, while I remember, from my experience in a hospital the midwife won't be with you constantly and much depends on how busy they are and also shift changes. Don't be alarmed by that, you don't actually need someone with you constantly but pressures in the hospital environment tend to control these things from my experience.

Def going now........

earlgrey I'd also consider her attitude unprof. and would also expect a reply, even if it is to say that she will let you know at another time. I think if you are going to pay somebody to do this they must earn your trust, which will also be so important when the time comes, so be careful and don't carry on if you are uncomfortable with her, it seems that during birth all of those feelings surface.

40weeks shame transfer rates for first-timers are so high, would you tell us a bit more about your second one, if you don't mind?

I was secretly thinking of not telling my family about planning a hb. It is so much more common here than in the middle classes in southamerica that i fear they will never understand, and in the end it might not even happen. But DH will have none of it , he hates lies and believes I can convince them given that I've convinced him.

Oh, thanks to my cold and not sleeping well at all, I remember my latest dream with the baby, I even saw his face (he looked like me when i was a baby) and we were giving each other kisses and laughing, I remember thinking what a good humored kid!

Have a nice day everyone [hsmile]

Are you sure girls, I could go on for HOURS about my homebirth!??

Wasnt a waterbirth no, alas, as we didnt (still dont) have the space for it but - had a slow overnight 'pre-labour' where nothing was getting going, and I was starting to wonder why I thought it would be quicker second time round, but then quite suddently one contraction was much stronger than the previous, and by the time the midwife got there, I was 6cm dilated. She was as shocked as I was as I dont think she really believed me on the phone!

DH took DS1 to PIL for the afternoon, so I could deliver in the sitting room (have a leather sofa/wooden floors which helped) although did have lots of coverings to protect everything. Mum came over and then towards the end another MW arrived (you get two, one for Mum, one for baby) and also a care worker who just happened to be in the car with MW2 - they also brought the gas and air which MW1 forgot! This was an hour before delivery! 30 mins later waters broke, not very messy though as was lying on a towel which they cleared up. They were brilliant, let me get on with things my own way, DH made them all tea, i quietly lay on my side on the sofa and then all of a sudden couldnt lie down any more, had to sit up facing back of sofa - they didnt even check me they just looked at each other and said 'Ten?' (must have known by my actions and had been timing me) and then two pushes and he was out.

MW1 was anxious to inject me to deliver placenta but MW2 (my fave) told her to chill and let it come naturally which is did very quickly. MW1 also wanted to stitch me but MW2 said leave it, it was a tiny tear and would heal well itself and I could have kissed her I was so relieved. The lovely care worker came upstairs to help me shower which I thought I would hate as am so prudish but she was so nice and probably worried I would fall over or something! She went and got my pj's for me and if I hadnt spent the entire morning doing housework (to alleviate boredom and also keep moving) they would have changed the bed sheets for me!

I was in control esp as they were on my turf! (I wanted to get in bed and DH had me half way upstairs while MW1 stood begging me not to deliver in the bath as she had just set everything up in the sitting room - but she did forget ALL manner of pain relief and hot bath helped) and I think being so relaxed at home made for an easier birth.

Main things I liked;
Feeling more in control of things as it was my turf, not MWs/doctors
Being at home right away, not waiting for docs to 'allow me to go'
Having home comforts close to hand (esp hair straighteners!)
Knowing DS2 was born on our sofa!
Not having to get in the car when I was in labour which was the last thing I felt like doing.

Main things I would recommend:
Only do it if its what YOU want
Have a spare dark coloured bedsheet so you dont ruin your nice John Lewis (or wherever) bedlinen with plastic underneath (always did this in case waters broke at night anyway)
Pack a hospital bag anyway in case you have to transfer quickly
Dont beat yourself up if you do transfer - if baby has meconium in waters they will take you in, regardless of how well you are doing.
MW will only allow it if everything is going smoothly in pg so risks are low, but no guarantees.
Enjoy it!

Main disadvantage;
Very light on the old pain relief, although I didnt know til afterwards that this didnt bother me at all
Squeemish DP might not be keen (mine wasnt bothered at all, although PIL didnt like it one bit)
Some people like being in hospital as it makes them feel safer but after a horrendous first labour/birth, I didnt want to go back. I said I wouldnt go unless I was sick (or baby) and childbirth isnt an illness!

If you have the opportunity to use a MW led birthing unit I would recommend investigating as they seem to be the perfect halfway point. I personally found that my docs wanted to interfer too much and medicate - which I know is what they are trained to do but as I said, I wasnt sick, was having a yummy baby!

Am boring myself now [hwink] sorry for long post. You did ask.....

Congrats zero that's lovely.
Amazing story 40weeks thank you so much. I'm not having a home birth (first baby and a bit scared and it's a rented flat so not particularly attached to it) but have been offered a water birth. definitely going to look into it.

As for toilet paper Tuesday, I feel much bigger but I'm just 1/3 of a sheet larger, at 9 1/3

Hope everyone is having a good week

byron I am a fellow desirer of a hospital water birth, but I've no idea how likely my dreams are to come true. I just think that every birth video I've seen that's a WB, she looks like she's in much less pain. Even if it's all in my head, that's good enough reason for me.

40weeks interesting story, I'm definately not doing it for my first but I would consider it further down the line if this one goes OK.

I do remember thinking after DS1, 'How n earth did I think I would manage that at home' but for second/third timers its more manageable and dare I say, I enjoyed it.....cant wait to do it again, home or hospital! But preferably home [hsmile]

Hello, just popping in to give my TPT measurement - hasn't changed, still 8!

40weeks, that's a lovely birth story . Sorry that your little one has been ill. [hsad]

I thought about trying for a water birth this time. I suppose if you don't like it you can just get out. I think that sometimes you can struggle to get a pool in the hospital that I'm going to as I don't think there are many.

I can't wait to give birth again either as it's so fab although my birth story isn't quite so nice [hgrin].

Hi ladies....been off this thing for a while, been a busy little bee with work and moving house!

Congrats on all the scans. We had ours last week and it is a DRUM ROLL.........Girl xx

Very happy. In fact over the moon and she was even waving at us!!!

Congratulations on your little girl Pinkie! [hgrin]

TPT - my bump has increased a whole half paper size to ten this week . Although might have something to do with forgetting to measure first thing this morning so doing it after lunch with a bloated tummy [hconfused] .

Loved your birth story 40weeks. Think I'd like a home birth, but if anything went wrong I wouldn't go to my preferred hospital, I'd just go to the closest one (not so keen on). I can't wait to give birth but only as I want to meet my baby, I wouldn't say I'm looking forward to the actual birth bit.

Great news pinkie :)