December 2010:where we await the best Christmas presents ever

[Miffster]

Stats thread here

Hi all :)

Still pregnant here - 38+5 today

Very very sorry I have been absent for so long, have caught up but am not going to attempt to reply to everything I have missed over the last few weeks since I last posted.

Sorry to hear everyone who is suffering, whether that be pregnancy related, sleep related, MIL related, DH related, work related or just general suffering. Don't forget - it will pass (easy for me to say having not had any of these problems).

So happy to hear of the 5 healthy happy babies we already have on this thread. Glad everything went well and that both mothers and babies are doing great :)

Been to midwife today for my 38 week appointment, baby is head down, 3/5ths engaged, but also back-to-back. Protein in urine so waiting to see if I have an infection. Booked for a sweep next thursday on my due date - but apparantly for first babies first sweeps don't tend to be that successful, but should help the second sweep to be more successful.

It's funny because since I was about 8 weeks I have been wanting this baby out, wishing the pregnancy was going faster and just generally sick of the whole thing...but now I am quite happy for this baby to take as much time as it wants and not to rush - am I the only one who would be very happy to go 2 weeks overdue?

Also just wanted to say to laurenamium I hope you don't think I'm a stalker but I saw you live in Redcar and that this is your first - can't believe someone lives so close to me as I'm in normanby if you know where that is lol. Was very - it's a small world haha.

Good luck everyone btw :) hope I can stop being so lazy and get back to posting more often.

franken I have that stuff i think -

bed mats
sanitary towels
drink
energy sweets
towels
clothes for me after
clothes for baby after (so DP doesnt get my size 8 jeans... wanker)
hot wheat pillow
tens

notso

OWO have you asked mw what you need? All I need to provide is waterproof sheet, old towels & biscuits! They provide everything else down here, i.e. placenta bucket, they clean everything up I don't need to worry about that. I have in my hb box:

-mattress cover
-2x asda shower curtains
-a few old towels
-huggies bed mats
-a couple of old curtains as I thought that may be more comfortable than actually laying/kneeling on plastic
I'm going to get some dextro energy sweets just in case I'm hungry during labour. I got a load of co-codamol from the gp a few months back and have stashed it for the after pains, but I'm guessing the mw will have some anyway for immediately afterwards.

Everything else (baby stuff, pads etc) is in my bag so that it is easy to get if I deliver at home but all grabbable if I need to transfer.

DF get on your hands and knees and scrub those floors and skirting boards to help baby on its way! On a serious note, if this was bounty or netmums I'd be giving you hugs, can't believe you're having all this stress right when you really don't need it.

DP's at the doctors, def tonsilitis, nice white streaks all over them now. I'm so glad I had mine out a few years ago.

Oooh, it's exciting, all these HB plans! Buckets, flannels, tissues and a lamp+towel+changing mat spring to mind as things to have ready from when I was planning one. Remember that even if you're not having a water birth, you may need a bucket to be sick in as well as one for the placenta.

frankenfanny - I would actually make a complaint at that pharmacy. It's an OTC product recommended by a healthcare professional. It is NOT the pharmacist's role to refuse to sell it to you - the most they should do is ask "have you asked your MW about this?". Grrrr. If you can't be arsed to complain, get your OH to get some.

FWIW when I was in hospital with my back pain scare, they were giving me 1000mg paracetamol and 60 mg codeine without any worries at all and that's twice as strong as the strongest OTC co-codamol! Thinking of which, I must stock up as I'm low on codeine now.

Cheryl - I wouldn't rely on the MW bringing cocodamol as they'd need a doctor's okay to give it to you afaik.

Had my scan today - baby is bang on the 50th centile and it seems my bump always measures a little big because my placenta is now right at the top. So no worries there.

OC blood work also looking good and my BP has improved, so I'm not being induced early. I've got an appointment in 2 weeks (at 39 weeks) at which I will ask to have a sweep if its not offered. And we're booked in for induction on the 18th at 40+3! Eeek! Saw the actual consultant today too, not one of her team registrars, which was nice and reassurring.

Japh good news on your bloods, that must be a relief.

I thought mw's could give out co-codamol as they gave me it at mlu when I had ds2. I have about 3 boxes of it anyway plus some 30mg codeine if absolutely neccessary (although that caused me really bad chest pain, so I'll be avoiding that if I think)

aimee as if your in normanby! I used to drink in normanby a few years ago as my friend was from there, shes moved to marske now though! Very small world! Are you going to be at the James Cook too?? Only a day between us I'll be seeing you there!

in my shock at aimee I forgot to post to notso at how fast you grew so quickly!! Hope everythings OK!

Have (finally) caught up on new thread! Lots of posting!
Saw midwife today(am 39 weeks tomorrow) and was disappointed not to get offered a sweep. She insisted that I wouldn't be overdue. I'm but going to believe her as I really want her to be right! DC3 was 3 weeks early, so I thought I'd be finished being pg by now!Must have jinxed myself.

Sounds like everyone is getting ready and showing signs of nearly being there. Can't wait to hear about more new babies!

WLL :o at an old roasting tin for plc! lovely thought!

Homebirth stuff does sound exciting. I still don't think i'd be brave enough to have one for a first, but will be very interested to hear how you all get on.

hi franken was thinking had not seen you on for a long time :)
hi aimee not sure about 2 weeks over, but am definitly hoping to wait a little while longer for baby to come.. Was told again today by MW that it could be any day now (am 37+2)

Am feeling really excited today though, has been a good energy level today, at last! :)

notso sorry to hear you're struggling, lets hope baby puts in an early appearance

DF sorry you're MIL saga continues. What a nightmare.

OWO about the mirror - totally share your opinion on that one!

aimee lovely to hear things are going well with you

frankenfanny you can have paracetamol

Have totally lost interest in work - last day isn't til 10th Dec but I've stopped taking on new stuff in an effort to clear my existing workload before I go. Found I spent at least half the day looking at mumsnet

cheryl :( about your DC with tonsilitis. I get that every year and it blooming hurts. HOpe they get better soon.

aimee welcome back, and glad all going ok.

japh wow, glad all going well and now you have a date to aim for too.

nymum hope it is soon for you. I went over with DD so trying to prepare myself mentally for same again, but feel impatient.

max I don't blame you for losing interest in work. I was useless for the last couple of weeks and I finished relatively early!

My doula came over this evening and brought the birth pool. The liner also turned up this morning so it really feels like everything is ready. I feel so excited; I can't wait to meet my baby :o

Is anyone else suffering from horrific heartburn? Mine has been bad all day regardless of my position, what I've eaten and gaviscon/cold drink. Not sure how I'm going to sleep tonight but have DD tomorrow. Got MW too and bloods.

notso sounds pretty hard-going, hope you are okay.

cheryl sorry to hear about the tonsilitis but at least there is a reason for dcs not being perfect angels.

Japh what great news

max I'm ashamed to admit that I have done a very poor handover, am supposed to be finishing off notes now but it is amazing how your brain switches into another mode entirely

aimee lovely to hear from you again.

Very jealous of Miffster and all the rest of you homebirthers trying out the pool etc.

WLL hope the heartburn didn't stop you sleeping in the end. I find it is very much to do with a combination of stress and LO's position. It's been bad for a few days but suddenly realised in bed last night that it hadn't even crossed my mind all day yesterday so hope today is a better day for you at any rate.

Almost organisd for the move now but DD is starting to get quite stressed about the whole thing. Monday night, I only got to sleep at around 1 after hours of worrying about baby, move etc then dd woke at 4 freezing and soaking wet having wet the bed so came in with me but didn't settle until 7 so yesterday was a very quiet, tired day in this house. Hats off to those who are regularly coming with sleep deprivation already.

[waves to everyone else]

Quick question to those of you who've already been through this before. Sorry for the TMI but for 3 weeks I'm still bleeding (lochia) but last night I woke up to a really heavy bleed. DP was in the toilet so I climbed in to the bath I had soaked through my sanitary pad and 2 large clots came out, the size of my palm. Back to normal bleeding now but it is bright red. Is this normal or should I call the Dr?

I would give your MW a call - if I remember correctly (it was 4 years ago) they wanted to know if you passed any thing bigger than a £2 coin. Are you feeling well in yourself? Had you over done it... and have you done a birth story some where?? :)

Thanks Owo, I had a c section, so I wouldn't think it was placenta. I don't think I've over done it, tje health visitor is coming this afternoon so I'Tyll ask her.

Cheryl I really suffer with tonsilitus, luckily haven't had it at all since I fell pregnant, they are reluctant to take them out even if you hit the 6 times lasting 4+ days in a 12 month period. I recommend ice lollies, the plain fruity variety. The mini calippos were also good. They sooth the ache and bring down the swelling and fever. Does he get ear ache with it as well? Poor chap!

cheryl also gargling with soluble paracetamol.

lavitabellissima I cant find your birth announcement, is it on old thread?

Yes in the last thread I think x

aarrgghh DD is pushing my buttons today! She's been getting up when DH goes to work (around 5.45am for the last 3 days) so I know she's tired which is causing most of the problem, but I had a crap night's sleep so don't have a lot of reserves to draw on. Thankfully he should be home in a few hours so he can take over. Don't even have the energy to make some lunch for the pair of us....

Its snowing here not laying though the floors too wet but it looks pretty

oh no max Im glad theres only me to deal with whilst Im a tired pregnant person, I dont envy those of you with others to think about!

Thanks everyone for the advice about paracetamol; I will check next week with the midwife what she meant just to be sure.

lavita hope you have been checked by now, they will probably want to check you for infection, just in case. By 3 weeks they would expect the lochia to have toned down a bit, I think, but I have not had a section so don't know what is normal for that. Having said that, I had enormous lump -of-liver type clots come out every time with mine - I was always reassured nothing to worry about.

I am trying not to stress about all the things needing done - life will go on and the baby will come whether they get done or not. DP says I grow babies well and have done it before and they come out big, fat and healthy, but it doesn't stop me worrying sick about something going wrong. I am glad I do not have work/ MIL hassles to add to the worries, sympathies to those who do.

lavita can't really help re the clots as I didn't pass any but I had an emcs last time and my lochia went on for weeks and weeks.

thanks lauren. While this pg has been totally different to my last one, I do think there's a world of difference in that first time round, you only have yourself to worry about most of the time and if you want to veg out or stay in bed all weekend you can. over the snow!

I dont want snow. No.

Just been trying to catch up on the new thread and realised I wont make it through all 140-odd messages... So have done the last couple of pages.

OWO - Good to see you back - was there any explanation for all those contractions you were having a couple of weeks ago - we all thought you were about to go! Good to hear from Aimee as well .

Crazykat - Snap with the numb leg. My left leg has been getting numb for weeks now if I stand too long, but now its just nearly always numb. Odd sensation, and now getting a few pains there as well. Baby is definately sitting on some kind of nerve.

There's a lot of talk of sweeps - I though they generally only did that when you were a few days over-due. Mind you I've not had one myself but dont think I'll opt for it too early as I hear it is a bit 'ouch'!

All good here - dont loads os running around, getting xmas pressies, wrapping etc - very Xmas excited!!!! Aimee - I would quite happily go overdue if it wasn't for the time of year. There is so much going on from mid-December onwards with the boys school that I dont want to miss out on these things. I'd rather LO arrived on time / early and then I can get the first 2 weeks over before the xmas build up!!! But then I'm a real xmas fan so I like to soak up the atmosphere .

Have to get the boys from school in 20 mins and then take them swimming so am going to have a small lie down now as not really felt the baby move that much today. Just to odd tiny turn / squrim.

Hope everyone is doing well... Am also unsure whether to hire a TENS... I'd forgotten and its getting a little late in the day... Mmm, had one with DS1 but didn't really use it, didn't bother with DS2 but it may work this time.

Lavita - just one more thing. I had sporadic post partum bleeding and it would be light one day then I would feel a surge of blood as a clot became free and came out. I had a scan which showed some retained placenta. As you say, it shouldn't be the case for you, but worth checking out definately. Good luck