December 2010:where we await the best Christmas presents ever

[Miffster]

Stats thread here

maxpower - did you ask your MW, how did you phrase it? I asked at 36 weeks if I would be able to have one at 40 weeks and she said yes, but id like one now!!!

Gosh sweep city here today :o very informative as always, and thanks C&G for details!

I had visit from the Health Visitor today. She brought me my red book, and stayed for an hour and a half! Thats probably the same as accumalative time of all my MW appointments up till now! Apparently Decemeber is a very busy time for them, because people want to have their babies in time for christmas.. and apparently the stress of shopping etc sends a lot of people into labour. So there you go, and there I was thinking that we had no control over it whatsoever!!

Was interested at the mum centred focus HVs have as well. DH was there the whole time but she was just speaking to me really, and told him that we didn't really need him to be there. Which I guess is true, but would have thought that if a dad is present and interested then both parents would be informed equally about what to expect regarding childs health and development etc. Not really bothered by it so much, but is a sign that we're not moving on that much as a culture in terms of dads taking responsibility for DC's welfare.
Was a very nice lady, lots of anecdotes about her own family and 3 teenage children which is maybe why took so long :)

OWO I only got an agreement to have one at 39 weeks but that's because of my history and the fact that it's as much in their interests to get things going as it is mine

button I don't think DH saw the HV once - I'm quite suprised that she's been to see you before DC has arrived.

Morning all. Didn't sleep amazingly well so I'm tired but nothing unusual there. I feel so restless lately. Feeling achy this morning on and off, I really hope all this preparation means a nice easy labour :o I can hope!

japh I hope you can get an early sweep, it would make sense for them to offer one as you'll need induction at 40 weeks won't you? I had one at 38 weeks with DS1 after being in early labour for a week and the consultant took pity on me! He did it himself and then booked me in for an induction at 39 weeks! Not sure I'd have gone through with it but the sweep worked and I had him the next day.

crazy me too and I'm only 36 weeks this Thursday, I really hope I don't go overdue. I want her here before Christmas if poss.

max how awful! Can't believe they didn't even call to tell you, surely that should be standard? Annoying that it takes so long to get another one out to you as well.

kitty wonderful news about you friend and her baby, how amazing :)

Miffster I feel ready now but still another week officially, just hope I don't go over...Your doula sounds fab :)

Button I agree with you that a lot seems focused on the mum doing all the childcare, definitely an attitude that needs to be looked at if things are to change in that respect.

button your HV has children the HV I had with DD (have moved since) was very adament how I should treat my DD, I asked her what she did with her DC... que her face. She hadnt got any.

Just realised im 39 weeks tomorrow, so will be having a sweep next week - shit!! Didnt have one with DD...

had major freak out at DP, he's lovely and amazing and my best friend, but right now, I cant cope with clearing up after him, If he wants to live like a fucking student then so be it, but not now!!!

Morning everyone. I didn't sleep to well either C&G sorry you had a bad night. I reckon we'll all be in for amazing easy pain free labours after these pregnancies :o

Japh fingers crossed on your sweep. I had one with DD and went into labour a few days later, although I was overdue.

OWO welcome back :) hope you are ok

DF was looking at your other thread and glad things seem to have been sorted out now. It occurred to me reading that as I'll hopefully be at home, people may feel entitled to rock up immediately after the birth so we'll have to see how it goes on the day.

Button I too agree that was not a good attitude from your HV. She's making some big assumptions about you being the primary caregiver and not giving your DH the opportunity to be involved as an equal parent. It is exactly these sorts of signals which IMHO make it more difficult for fathers to take equal responsibility. Even if both partners work full time, it will the majority of the time be the woman who remembers dentist appointments etc etc. It was like that in our house even when DH worked p/t and looked after DD p/t and I worked f/t.

kitty what fab news about your friend's baby, that's lovely.

max hope you get your card sorted out. That's really annoying and I can't believe you don't get replacement sooner.

Like crazy I am feeling rather impatient too! I am feeling incredibly sore with pelvis today. I think the baby has moved position which is putting strain on it, but it really hurts :( Be so pleased when this is all over.

Got day off again today, hooray, so going back to bed with a trashy book.

Morning everyone. Have read through but not sure I can remember what everyone has said - it is a busy thread!

9 days till due date here - very exciting. My mother driving me crazy though - every time I speak to her she tells me I still have 3 weeks to go because DD was so days late. That may be the case but it is NOT something I want to hear right now.

button I had the HV out the other day as well, which was fine, only she told me that due to resourcing they would only be seeing me once after baby is born. That being the case, I don't understand why they can't post the red book out to you and then save the visit to actually look at the baby?!

kitty, lovely news about your friend's baby. I can't imagine how stressful it would be going into labour with that knowledge hanging over you. Makes me realise that as much as I complain about being uncomfortable, etc, I really have had it very easy.

Sounds like there are a few sweeps on the horizon. I had one last time with DD and I'm not sure if it worked or not - I had her a few days after it. MW also advised me to crawl about the house on my hands and knees to get things moving, which I duly did, much to DH's amusement. Have to say I found the sweep extremely uncomfortable and it made me feel quite weak and shaky and I went straight home and got in the bath. So I wouldn't necessarily be planning to have sweep and go straight out to lunch/shopping, if you see what I mean. If you're not used to being poked around up there it can be quite . Mind you, once I was actually in labour I didn't even notice them checking how dilated I was!

TENS machine has arrived. That's my last item for the hospital bag...except for the bag of change for parking, which needs constant replenishing as DH keeps pilfering it...

right im going to restock and check my home birth box etc as Im worried im not ready!!

tens machine and pads and spare battery
hot wheat pillow
towsels
bed matts to deliver on
sanitary towels
knickers
lucozade
seseme snaps

need I any thing else??

OWO I have signed up for groceries home delivery IF the van comes I am going off to Boots for some last bits n bobs for my home birth kit today, thanks for reminding me.

I take it you have all the birth pool stuff if you are using one?

The only other things I can think of are a shower curtain (£1.50 ASDA) to cover floor or furniture or bed. Co-codamol type over the counter pain relief (midwife told me not paracetamol). Massage oil or tennis balls or suchlike for your back. Nice biscuits/cake( for you or birth supporters) to be stashed away for the birth not snarfed beforehand!

Last time I included a special soft blanket I specifically wanted to be the baby's receiving blanket, this time I will also be including some string for the cord as I do not want a clamp.

Will let you know if I think of anything else!

oh i may pop to ASDA :)

Owo Chocolate?

Morning how are we all today? I thought things were happening last night, quite a few longish contractions front and back, but nothing and this morning all feels 'normal'. DP either has flu or tonsilitis, tonsils are huge but no white is evident atm but we shall see. His timing couldn't be any better!

wishx, is DP able to take any holiday for a bit when LO is here? I personally wouldn't go for an ECV if my baby was breech, from what I've heard it's incredibly painful and even if it does work baby usually spins themselves back round. I've always been given back my same pot, I'd actually be annoyed if they didn't having the hassle of going to the chemist to buy a new one each time, also I didn't realise you dilated at all before you went into labour so didn't realise there was anything to check. Am shocked that you haven't been assigned your own MW. I see a team at the clinic, but I tend to pass over my appointment to the next person until my mw is free.

Re sweeps, I had one at 41 weeks with ds2, it is incredibly uncomfortable, if not perhaps a little painful. There was quite a lot of bloody goo for a few hours afterwards but it did the trick - sweep at 9pm, into labour at 2am, baby born at 3.30 am. Mw did say though that there wasn't a lot for her to do and he probably would have arrived in a few days anyway. I personally will be waiting until 41wks if baby hasn't arrived by then as I think baby needs to be close to ready for it to work, but that's just my personal feelings.

maxpower, and for you at the bank not bothering to let you know your card had been cloned.

Kitty, your friend must be so pleased and relieved, such a nice story.

Off to have lunch, trying to keep up on my feet or ball or hands and knees as much as poss to give baby a little bit of encouragement.

RIGHT what do I need to go and get?? (apart from the 2nd half of my pethidine)

OWO what about a lamp if you don't have one so MW have plenty of light in case you need stitches? I was asked to get an angle poise lamp.

Are you having a pool? It's so exciting!

Plenty of tea, coffee, biscuits and snacks for midwives.

Container like big cheap mixing bowl to deliver placenta into (Asda have them for about a pound).

Bin bags.

oh grim talk of placenta. I want to go to bed :(

Afternoon all, just got back from seeing consultant, my bump has grown 10cm's since Friday and now measures 52 cms
Going for another scan to see how far over the limit for polyhydramnious I am, was high then borderline so we shall see, consultant said he thinks I should try and put up with the pain until I am 39 weeks even though he suggested I may be in a wheelchair by then if LO carries on growing at this rate
The M/W said I should hope to have gestational diabetes and then they will induce me at 37, or that it is the fluid levels rising more dramatically than the babys weight in which case my waters will prob go sooner rather than later.

franken and owo nice to see you both back on the thread.

slightly am also getting the overdue weeks added to my EDD.

WLL and C&G ditto crap night sleep, went to bed at 9 read until half past then was awake at 2, off for a nap in a min.

max I may ask community M/W to do a sweep if things get much worse.

OWO I know, but it's gotta get caught in something... When DD was born they asked if we wanted to look. I was so drugged up I remember politely admiring it as they wafted it in front of me in a tray whilst DH was swooning in the corner.

franken sorry, I meant to say welcome back to you too. :)

notso blimey, that does sound like a lot of growing. Sorry you are in so much pain :(

they haven't put that on the list though... ah. Maybe thats what the bucket is for.

Which I havent bought either. Oh fuck

Just wanted to wave to OWO and see how everyone is.

MIL saga rolls on. Just had an email from SIL - apparently MIL has told her she will be staying with us in March when she comes over to see their baby. Is news to me! Absolutely not happening! I now feel that all my anxiety about what might happen over Christmas is completely justified and am currently working on growing an extra big set of Balls ready for the inevitable fall out this is going to cause. DH told me at the weekend she is going to be staying at her mums so obviously someone has their wires crossed!

Been tidying like mad and am going to do everything in my power to get this baby out early!

Will catch up with all your posts in a bit.

Don't panc! Any container will do. Maybe an old roasting tin or something? I haven't bought a bucket either. I sort of need one because I have no downstairs loo and if I am mid transition and can't manage stairs, well, I may need something to wee in... One of the midwives suggested DD's peppa pig potty but the thought of me trying to aim my heavily pregnant body at a tiny plastic potty mid-labour was a bit too much...

Also, DH needs to sort out an adaptor for the tap so we can run hosepipe into birth pool. And for some reason I am panicking about the lack of straws in my house. And the nice biscuits didn't come with our online food shop. Argh, I'm going to have to go shopping too.

Thanks everyone for the welcome back.

OWO ignore what I said about co-codamol. I could not get some off the shelf and the pharmacy will not sell to pregnant women over the counter. I will need to speak to my midwife about this. Why do we always hear of women being sent back from hospital and told to take paracetamol, dear, if it is not recommended?

Apart from what you have and birth pool stuff, it is useful to have ice chips to suck on as well as an isotonic drink, a facecloth/facial spray or wipes, and a hand held mirror if you want to see the bay's head emerge.The midwife may have one anyway, they need them if you are in water.

Blardy hell DF just crossed posts with you. Your MIL sounds like a nightmare. Surely she wouldn't just assume without actually being invited would she? Maybe it is a mistake. I agree you need to be assertive from the off though.

*baby's head, duh!

doulbleboak at the suggestion of a mirror.

OWO

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