December 2010: Our Christmas Babies are growing but our energy levels are slowing!

[WhatWillSantaBring]

With thanks to the provider of the snappy title (it wasn't me - I think it was Strix)

Link to Stats thread (I hope)

Here

OMG! C&G happy that you went and checked... Now I am very worried for you and please keep us updated on how you feel during weekend!!!

Hi Everyone

Haven't posted for ages thanks to swollen painful hands and finger joints (but bizarrely no swollen ankles!) and being stupidly busy at work. However, am now struck down with a head cold and chest infection so am doing the sensible thing and going off sick for a few days so I can catch up on MN and RELAX!!!! ;-)

Japhrimel - went into London yesterday for work and ended up leaving after a couple of hours. Firstly - just felt like a freak because I swear everyone was staring at the big fat pregnant woman (I was walking around cradling the bump as it was achey, so probably did look like I was about to go into labour!). Secondly - there was so many people and I got so tired I was in tears by the time I got home. So I know what you mean about being jostled - it's no fun when you're feeling delicate already. Anyway, there is a direct train from Waterloo to Reading which might be better for you than trying to get across London to Paddington on Sat night. It's slower than the GWR train, but at least it gets you there with minimal fuss. Here's a link to the timetable

Hope everyone else is feeling OK and Happy Friday!

Trying again with the link Japhrimel

www.southwesttrains.co.uk/uploads/ptt02a.pdf

Ooo thanks MrsChris I always forget about the Reading to Waterloo train! That a lot easier option.

Hi all. Only 3 weeks left in work! Yippeeeee.

I have had lots of activity and love the description of the bump fighting with everything it comes into contact with.

Am still getting ok sleep but waking every 3 hours. Luckily I seem able to pop off back to sleep quite easily so far.

I forwarded a link to my husband to a thread on the pregnancy forum about the first weeks after childbirth as I thought it might prepare him for the reality of having a baby but all I got back was 'will be fine' - I hope the NCT classes give him a more realistic view!

MIL has confirmed that she is booked in to a holiday cottage from two days past my due date until just after Christmas so I feel a bit more at ease RE possible attempts to stay with us. Just the other few days to account for though!

Thanks Japh I have bought and read the following:
Hypnobirthing: The Breakthrough to Safer, Easier, More Comfortable Childbirth

Effective Birth Preparation (Hospital or Birth Centre): A Self Hypnosis CD Programme (Natal Hypnotherapy Programme)

Pregnancy Relaxation: A Self Hypnosis CD Programme

and

Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method: A Natural Approach to a Safe, Easier, More Comfortable Birthing with CD

So in my case I have wasted a bit of money on this. Although I am going to give them all away to my NCT team members :)

DF please put that link here as well as my DH needs to read it too. He still thinks that we would be "fit" to have oversee guests (his family) for xmas in our house after 3 weeks!!!! I just want to kill him when he makes this suggestion although I rarely get angry with him... I just don't want to cater to in-laws (or anyone not even my own mother) when I want to bound with my LO and get over the first 5-6 weeks.

here's the thread

I've just been reading some of that thread df funny but interesting.

DH read through some magazine articles that I'd highlighted for him to read. He got a little emotional on the first 24 hours one in August's P&B. It was sweet.

I've finally worked out how to resize the images on my new camera, DH took some pictures of me and bump and have put them on my profile.

PJen there is no way you should have to have house guests at that time. Put your foot down, girl. I would say that for at least the first 8 weeks you're going to be underwater - not in a bad way - just that your entire life will be ruled by this little baby and its needs - and these needs bear no relationship to the sort of routine you and your DH will be used to now.

Admittedly, my parents are coming to stay with us for 3 weeks (they live on the other side of the world), but they are incredibly helpful in times of stress, will be able to take DD out and about, and will never ever expect a cup of tea to be made for them. On the contrary - they just get on with it - cooking, cleaning, laundry - you don't even know it is being done. However, there is absolutely no way I would contemplate letting my in laws stay for more than a couple of hours - they are the sit-on-the-sofa-wait-for-tea-while-delivering-judgy-comments type. DH will be under strict instructions to get rid of them the minute I give a previously agreed secret signal.

c&g I hope things settle down for you and the baby doesn't decide to attempt an early escape.

OWO and SlightlyTired our DD has been getting into the habit of getting into bed with us and I told DH a couple of days ago we have to be firm. Last night she got up at 4 and although it took me 10 mins of singing/patting she did go back down in her bed so I am hoping we can get her used to it prior to baby arriving.

DF really glad your MIL has booked to stay nearby and not with you, I know it's been a big worry for you.

I am going to have a look on Amazon tonight for some of the natal hypnotherapy as well after freaking myself out reading/posting on the back to back labour thread. I am about 90% sure this baby is also spending most of it's time back to back so I am trying to really get up and forward as much as possible. Have an anterior placenta which may not be helping. At least if it doesn't shift I will know what I'm in for having done it once.

Got my GBS test kit through today. I think I need to start buying and assembling stuff for my bags now. We have nappies and clothes for baby, although they need a wash, but I need to get in breast pads and maternity pads and some little toiletries.

DF glad you have a bit of a plan re your MIL visiting, that must be a weight off.

Back from the cinema now and had a chinese at my parent's with the kids, been a lovely day all round but I feel so sick. Been feeling quite rough, baby seems low down and I'm just uncomfortable. I'm so scared of going into labour now though! Even when it is time, I remember the pain and I'm trying my best to get my head round it again. Aargh you'd think I'd be ok as this is my fourth but I'm terrified.

Kitty risks of ECV are that your waters can break, baby can get distressed, you could end up needing an emergency c section right away because of this too. A lot of the time, even if it does work, baby turns right back round again. I'd just rather not risk it personally.

crazy I think baby can pop in and out of being engaged with second and subsequent babies fairly easily, what I've been told at least! Baby has been a little more active today but still doesn't seem the same as normal. I wonder if that's because of her position now.

93pjb I was reading an interesting thread about c sections and their risks recently. Something about the risks being artificially high because women requiring them in the first place are already at a high risk? Meaning it's not the actual procedure that is risky but the condition that made the c section necessary making it so. Intersting.

Pjen I've been thinking along those lines too, if baby was/is still breech or not in a birthing position then I'm more inclined to be thinking about a c section. I'm really not liking the prospect of either at the moment! Will definitely keep updated about the baby, so worried that something will happen now.

WLL I hope so too, kind of settled down, having tightenings on and off but nothing regular like yesterday. Every little twinge is now scaring me though, I need to try to relax and stay calm or I'll just make myself worse! My ds2 was back to back btw, my labour was 1 hour 10 mins with him, yes it was painful but it was very fast and I only used gas and air while they were trying (5 times) to put a clip on his head (which they failed!). It isn't always long and needing lots of pain relief, mind you, mine was too fast to have much else!

CheeseandGherkins - glad you got checked out and hope those contractions stay away! Were they checking your bile acid levels as well?

DF - glad your MIL has foudn somewhere to stay!

Morning all just a quickie!! In new house just - it's tiny but it'll do! Loads of unpacking to do so will be missing this weekend! Hope everyone is ok will catch up later!

Morning!
C&G hope your pregnancy goes on a bit longer yet and you don't have an early escapee!

MrsS woo hoo, new house at last! Good luck with the unpacking.

DF another woo hoo that your MIL is not going to be staying with you for weeks on end.

PJen sorry you have the visitors worry. Could you secretly brief midwife to have a word with your DH and tell him no way is it remotely advised? make out it's medically inadvisable to have you hosting visitors? (stress, germs, exhaustion, baby needs to bond, PND etc).

First day of mat leave was marvellous. had to go to town to sear a document for immigration in front of a notary with DH (for move abroad in March), then got bus to nice shopping street a few miles from home, had ludicrously expensive carrot cake and tea in posh cake shop, a half hour massage at Neal's yard therapy centre with marvellous woman who was brilliant, and spent too much at H&M on lovely check shirts, long sleeved nursing top which was nice enough to wear even even when not PG, and soft maternity/nursing bra-vests.

They look stretchy enough to do from the outset of BF but even if they don't they are just the sort of thing to snuggle in all winter.

Came home and totally nested and reorganised my wardrobe and DH's: he came home a bit pissed and was awed to see all his shirts had been colour coded and arranged in order of formality and thickness.

Bloody alarm went off at 5.45am so am now reading threads about first week with newborn.

happy Halloween! [hgrin][hsmile]

That should read 'swear a document' not 'sear'[hblush]

congrats on finally being in yor new house mrsS

C&G glad things with the baby seem to have settled down a bit - fingers crossed it stays that way!

c&g hope baby settles back in there for another few weeks! I agree, stats around c sections are v. confusing because the truly elective rate is so low.

pjen after witnessing an experience like you sister's I'm not surprised how you feel about birth. Hope you are being treated appropriately now.

miffster sounds like a lovely first day of ML, impressed that your dh noticed his colour-coded shirts while pissed though! Not sure mine would have!

Good news here, baby seems to have had a bit of a growth spurt and is apparently nearly as big as dd was at birth so a big relief. Means I'm feeling a lot less worried about not having a move date yet as there should be time to get settled in before he puts in an appearance.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend. The sun is out here so I think we'll have a nice afternoon in the park kicking leaves.

Congratulations MrsS have a fantastic nesting weekend

lol at your colour AND thickness coordinated wardrobes Miffster

Hiya, sorry not been online for much more than checking my bank account lately! Been having problems galore with ds2 but have finally got a referral for him to the mental health team. Am absolutely exhausted as it doesn't ever stop!

MrsSL sorry for not getting back to you earlier, been the last thing on my mind, sorry, do you still have the filing cabinet? Would be very grateful if you do and the offer is still there for us to have it.

Hope everyone is ok.

Hi girls,
Just a quickie as I am in labour ward in hospital but not actually in labour. The bed is comfy and nice that I can hear LO's heartbeat but am bored to death. I called today telling them that I've been leaking a bit n they asked me to come right away. A scan showed that water amount is less than what it should be and therefore they are keeping me for a specialist who comes at 9. Lovely MWs in the new hospital and I heard two woman pushing through labour and giving birth while waiting. I have nother hour to kill. The monitor shows I have frequent BHs and the MW doesn't like it. But I have no pain whatsoever n pretty sure I am fine. Ooh another woman is moeing and making strange noises. Gotta go.

Had a lovely day at ds1's party, 13 of them there for bowling aged between 6 and 9! Were a handful but had loads of fun. I've been feeling really rough for the past hour or so now though, think I've not eaten/drank enough and been on my feet too long as the tightentings are back and I feel quite shaky. I figure that if I started to dilate then I'd have a show so this must just be normal for me, hopefully it'll mean a fast labour when the time comes! Although, it feels like early labour again, maybe as it's my 4th though but it does scare me and I so remember the pain! Aargh, I don't want to do this again!!! Getting fed up of being in pain though, especially when I have 8 weeks left still, not sure I can stand another 8 weeks of this.

Urine test came back clear too but why would I have protein and lukocytes in my urine if not a urine infection?

japh Not sure about the bile acid, she said the rest of the results will be back by Monday so I'll find out then if that one was done.

MrsS glad you're in the new house, yay!

Miffster I hope so too! Massage sounds wonderful.

93pjb that must be such a relief for you, glad the growth has picked up.

Pjen cross posts, fingers crossed for you that things are OK. Sometimes you don't feel the contractions especially when you're early so keep an eye on those BH's. I hope it wasn't your waters but it sounds like it might be. I expect they would give you anti bi's and steroids for baby's lungs if so and keep you in. HOw many weeks are you now? They may want to induce because of the infection risk. Mine went with dd at 36 weeks and I had her the next day but with ds2 they went at 22 weeks and slow leaked for the duration. Wasn't good being on bed rest for months! Hope you're OK. Thinking of you

Thinking of you pjen keep us posted