Due in Nov - Part VIII - Not long now, surely?!

[rodeo1]

Right, Here we go, sorry about the pants title!

First baby on this thread do you reckon??

x x x

Enthusia ? what I find hard about packing is that you have to cater for so many different scenarios. For example, there is a 25% chance that you will be induced, so you might be sitting about in hospital doing not a lot for8-12 hours. Then you need normal clothes, magazines, snacks etc. OTOH if you arrive in the middle of labour you will not be interested in magazines, just drugs!!!! Likewise there is a 30% chance you will end up with a section, so you will be in hospital much longer than normal, so you will need more stuff for you and the baby. If you are travelling to hospital by car you can make up several bags and just take your labour bag into hospital with you. Your partner can then get the stuff you need later from the boot of the car.

You asked:

If I am labouring at home to begin with will I not be wearing those when I go in? Yes

10 nappies - that will only do you for about 2 days, but you can leave the baby bag in the car and get it later.

2 packs of maternity pads ? that will also do you for about 2 days at best

One pack of disposable knickers - if you end up with a section you need big pants apparently. I just get cheap black ones from Asda or Matalan or Primark

Half a pack of breast pads. ? You can leave these at home as your milk won?t come in for a few days, and your DP can bring then in if you are still in hospital

My own towels - take your old dark ones for you and one little one for baby. The baby only needs one bath after its born then only topped and tailed for the rest of your stay. New babies hate being bathed. The only bit that gets dirty is their bums from all that tarry poo. Hence the cotton wool to scrape it off

3 babygros and 3 vests, 1 blanket, 1 wrap - goes in the baby bag in the boot of the car

1 set of pyjamas ? make sure they are your oldest and a dark colour. You will just get upset when they get ruined. Apparently you need a nightie if you have a section.

You have forgotten camera and change for the pay phone

LOL @ Londoner!! My DH on seeing me sitting at the PC always says 'www.mums.com' followed by 'ha..ha..ha!'. His latest 'funny' is to ask me if i'm having Branston Pickles. This is after I told him that it was Braxton Hicks and not Branston Hix!!! Well.. I thought it was funny

Oh my gosh Enthusia!! I was faced with the same predicament recently and ditched the lovely samsonite for a reasonable sized suitcase (it's quite small). So far in the suitcase have packed dressing gown, PJs, nightie, maternity/nighttime/breast pads, knickers & socks. Still need nappies etc.. in there and suitcase is quite full!!
In samsonite will go my toiletries (so glad i bought these all new as i'm really looking fwd to using them) and baby's clothes etc.. There really doesn't seem to be much room you know. Dressing gown needed a case of its own TBH.
Can you take a hairdryer by the way?

Have managed to keep some soup down too now, hurray for me.

Chacha - dont think you can use your own electrical appliances in hospital unless they have a PAT certificate.

Sorry to be a killjoy, but I think when you see the state of the communal hospital shower you will not be hanging about to use all your lovely toiletries. The hospital I went to last time wouldn't let you use the shower at all unless you had "someone to watch the baby" ie at visiting time.

And yes, it was one shower for 2 rooms of 6 women. And you are meant to wash yourself every time you go to the loo or change your pad ( about once an hour)

Can you tell I hate hospitals???? And that i plan to be out in 6 hours?

Kristina - How awful! I'm yet to go on the hospital tour so will see how that goes before I start getting into a panic! If that is the case with our hospital I should be thinking about amenity room with ensuite from now.
I'm sure it was on here somewhere that I read to get favourite toiletries ready for after childbirth as is something to look fwd to etc.. perhaps not! Oh well..if anything, will lock myself away in bathroom once home.
As for hairdryer, i assume they have them there then? (maybe in light of your post this is just asking too much eh?)

Soup did not stay down and lucozade bottle is finished. Think some jelly and ice-cream may be what the doctor ordered don't you?

Chacha - I would go for the amenity room if i were you. depends on how long you plan to stay in hospital I guess.

Did you manage to keep down the jelly and ice cream? Sorry you are still being so sick

You lot are back talking about hospital bags again, its very off-putting for those of us who are determined to remain disorganised

However I do confess to having washed all the 'neutral' colour new baby clothes we have from last time. However if the NCT sale on Saturday doesn't have much and this baby is a boy he may spend some of his first few weeks of life in pink! I didn't think I really did the pink thing with Tessa but it seems everyone else did.

ChaCha - best way to 'do' NCT sales is to join and then help out on the day. You get to put everything out (and eye it all up!) and then get first pick before the punters come in. I intend to be smug organised (and probably completely knackered) person come Saturday evening

Poor Tessa is getting used to having tired mummy now I think, she didn't blink this morning when I said I really needed a nap on the sofa, just requested Cbeebies and curled up with me!

Was given a good tip to help sleep at night. If you have another duvet put it under the bottom sheet. It makes everything more snuggly and creates a bit more 'give' in our quite firm mattress. Has helped me sleep better for the past few nights and long may that continue!

Hi Kristina, I don't really want to be there anymore than I have to but I have to be able to shower and have some privacy - that is a must!

Nothing is staying down unfortunately and i'm just getting on with it now. I honestly feel that i have NO room to breathe! An intake of breath causes my whole bump to tighten and makes me feel that baby is going to come flying out at any minute...and there is still probably 6-7weeks to go, blimey!

DH has fallen asleep and I cannot bear going to bed yet. Ho hum... are you still here?

I'm still here. DH went to bed ages ago, trying to get some sleep in before my snoring sends him to the sofa again I thnik!!

Hi Tessasmum - our posts must have crossed.

Good advice on duvet cover. I sleep on top of ours as I find the mattress not particulary comfy at the moment and it does make a difference, however, I'd hang upside down from the window right now if you told me it would guarantee a good night's sleep!!
I really want a strawberry milkshake or large coke on ice...wonder if I can wake him up...

Bad move, DH was not impressed! Am going to skulk off and read until i hopefully sleeeeeeep!
Nighty Night everyone x

Think its the duty of every expectant father to wake on demand to provide sustenance when required. Will be good practice for when the baby arrives.
However not sure it works as well 2nd time round, if it ever did last time

Going upstairs now to see if he's left the light on so I can read, need to wind down after spending last hour and half on MN!

Night night all and hope sickness goes ChaCha.

Hiya all

Thanks for the hospital bag advice. I had no idea I needed so much stuff. Even when I saw the lists I didn't think it would take up that much room, how wrong was I?

Ok have now identified a v.small bowl that will fit in bag, also have a towel, but no way that will fit, will have to go seperately.

Still need to buy and pack nursing bras and toothbrushes etc. Things like the music I want and the camera will have to go in last minute as still using them. Also TENs will need to be added when that arrives in two weeks.

In terms of snacks and drinks was going to take sports cap bottled water, don't know about snacks though, what's the best do you think?

Also what will DH need, in various lists it says a change of clothes, drinks, snacks, magazines, games etc. Does he need his own seperate bag as well????????

Why oh why is this bothering me so much? I feel like a woman possessed help!!!!!!!!!!!

Right am going to think of something else.

DH came back last night and confirmed that we are in Manchester on Monday. Do not know the name of the hotel, but apparantly it is opposite Man U stadium and an Audi dealership - don't know if this helps in any way. But whatever I will be able to get tram or something to where you would like to meet, so all we need now is a time and a venue. I will let you dictate these as it will be easy for me to slot in with your plans.

ChaCha - I am so sorry you are really rough again, have you tried any of the normal sickness remedies, or even your sickness tablets from last time? I found Seabands good, but don't know if these will help with this kind of sickness. If it is any help baby will start to move dwn soon, hopefully, and you will get more room to breath. My bubs is gradually moving down, which causes pain down below, but not more feet right under ribs.

Oh and our hospital says you can only use electrical devices of your own if you have them safety checked, which you can do by taking them to the hospital between certain hours. Our hospital does not have hairdryers on the wards themselves, although there looks to be a mighty handy handdryer in the ladies

Right better do something as have a busyish day

Speak later

35 today.

Morning girls, Chacha sorry to hear you are still so sick, have you mentioned it to your dr or the mw, they may be able to prescribe something for you.

Londoner nice to see you back and glad everything is ok with you.

Enthusia LOL at your hospital bag nightmares. I managed to pack mine in two minutes flat yesterday after being sent up to the hospital straight after my mw appointment as they thought I had the onset of pre-eclampsia.

Thankfully after 4 hours of testing and resting they have said that everything is ok for now but just to keep an eye on things. The nice thing was that I got to listen to bumps heartbeat for an hour which was very relaxing and nearly sent me to sleep and I've got a growth scan out of it next week so we'll just have to see how it goes from here on in!

Did get to hear a woman yelling and then the wonderful first cries of a new born though, which brought it all flooding back to me! Roll on 5 weeks time!!!

Twinkle your nursery sounds like it's in the same place as mine, no carpet but I have got a badly fitting door. Don't suppose I'll finish it till the new year now as finances are rather stretched.

Right feel like I've been up for hours already so had better go and get Ben bathed, speak to you all later BEKs

Beks - how are you feeling now. You must have been pretty worried yesterday. Glad you have the all clear. Was your BP up? Are they going to keep an eye on you?

Mine is so low its surprising I can still stand up ! Often feel dizzy and a bit disorientated though. Dh is on some new meds for his (high) BP and yesterday he was complaining that it made him feel unwell. Welcome to pregnancy, just try it for the next 9 months. Then I will feel sorry for you....I thought

Enthusia - dont worry about your obsession with packing. I think its natural to get all concerned about something that we can control, like bags or buggies or nursery decoration. Personally I cant imagine why your partner would need a change of clothes. i have never heard of a man getting so close to the messy end that they needed to change. Perhaps Karma and Twinkle knwo differently........

Last time I was obsessed with baby names. I woudl wake up in the night and worry about it. In the event after DS was born we still couldn't agree for several days. How sad is that???? He was a Matthew at first, then we settled on Tom (Thomas) . I'm so pleased that some of you like that name too. In the event he is a very active cheeky little boy, so Tom suits him just fine. We also have a Grace we like traditional names.

Karma - sorry i misquoted you about the looking forward to the birth bit. Must have beeen someone else.....mad......

Forgot to say - apparently you can get gaviscon on prescription. i think its horrid and coudl never take it again after Londoner's comment ( no I am NOT going to repeat it!!!). Still recommend Mucogel as its just like toothpaste flavoured milk - much nicer texture.I get prescribed a 500ml bottl every week. Yum.......

How are all you p888ed off girls today ???? Feeling better???? Twinkle - whats happening with your garage? How are all the tantruming toddlers?

morning all,
Enthusia & anyone else who is meeting on monday.How does 11am sound in the food court sound at lowery designer outlet???? the web site below is for the paper mill shop which is in the center but it is a good map and shows some tram stops.

www.thepapermillshop.co.uk/location/salford_quays.htm
For anyone who is planning on driving there is lots of free parking.the outlet also has a big M&S outlet lots of nice baby clothes
Hope this sounds ok ,Who is interested?????
twinkle
33+1

Mornin'

Not had time to completely catch up with everyones news, and I have a lush bath (that one's for Chacha ) waiting for me, and a friend bringing her 4 month old over in an hour.

DH has gone for the weekend, he worries that anytime he's more than 10 mins away from the house that I'm going to have the baby - lol! It probably means that I'll be spending the weekend on here though, so expect to get very bored of me

Hello, good morning!

Just been enjoying all your posts since last night. Enthusia your post @what to bring to hospital is fantastic, lol, it's so true, you really do need to bring everything bar the kitchen sink! (Think that's why I'm so keen on having baby at home this time.... have packed & unpacked so many times already this year with all the festivals/camping we did...lol) KristinaM you're a genius with your concise break-down of exactly what is and isn't needed and when, really helpful too, thanks! . oh.... it wasn't me , case of mistaken identity, have never taken Gaviscon before .... Oh, and when you ask how all the tantruming toddlers are, are you being literal or referring to DH/P's...?
ChaCha, glad I'm not alone in being constantly ribbed for my involvement in this forum.... it is my secret vice, I am forced to lie about my activities and be subversive...[cloaked emoticon]... remembering to clear the computer history/cookies and spray round the 'pledge' quickly/switch on the tumble drier and pretend I'm doing something 'important'! ! And I'm usually such an honest soul..... it's the survival instinct, the need to share experiences with other pregnant women! BTW I loved your post keeping us up to the minute on your cravings and failed attempt to motivate your DH to venture out and get you milkshake!lol! ..... This might sound ridiculous and unappealing, but the one thing that has got me through v.bad pregnancy sickness in a few of my pregnancies(don't knock it 'til you've tried it...) is plain old sunflower seeds.... sounds unlikely I know but I found that if a constant supply was nibbled/always in pockets of every jacket/cardi/coat etc and just ate a few here or there so never having a completely empty stomach but never overloading it.... it worked well... also small but regular sips of water, never a lot at once..... sunflower seeds are classed as a 'superfood' too......worth a try?.. HTH
BEKS hi, glad to hear everything's okay after your testing.... sounds like you ended up having a really bonding experience with your baby, sounds so lovely...
twinkle and compadres, hope you have a great meet up on Monday, sounds like fun.
nova, your bath sounds gorgeous, hope you have a lovely morning with your friend & babe, and a v. relaxing weekend doing exactly what you like.
I'm off to Greenwich park for some fresh air.... catch up later.

Morning everyone,

Awww Beks - I hope that you are well today. How are you feeling now?

Enthusia - Thanks for hairdryer info. Have very long hair and do not like the idea of sitting with it dripping wet in cold hospital ward. Like you with your bags it appears I am obsessing over stupid hairdryer!!!

Nova - Enjoy your bath and your day with friend.

Rodeo - I believe this is your last weekend as mum of two correct?

Thanks for all asking and yup am still being sick. It is definitely something to do with growth/hormones etc.. I've gotten quite big all of a sudden and it's very scary. The Braxton Hicks are not sore but do cause my belly to tighten dramatically and again causes me difficulty in breathing. Anyway, guess its just one of those things that I have to ride out.

33wks xx

Morning,

Just caught up on posts after walking children to school and Playgroup and treating myself to a maple and pecan pastry which is about to get warmed in the oven and scoffed with a cup of tea!

I'm getting more and more petrified about Monday, I think the Rescue remedy is going to go down this weekend!

Have just compiled a list of things I mustn't forget to do before/on Monday, probably missing loads of things off.

AND I was just on the phone to best friend when I thought - SH*T!! I've not got my bloods done yet!! So glad I remembered! The hospital need them for Monday but they can only hold them for 7 days so they asked me to pop in one day this week!!

Have to be in hosp at 8am and, hopefully, if they don't get any emergencies, baby should be delivered in the morning.

Right can feel myself getting worried again, will log on again later, apologise for my totally self absorbed post, going to have that pastry and swig some rescue remedy

Love to all x x x

Morning,

Only got to play with my pram for like 30 mins yesterday before mum took it away "for safekeeping" in other words so i dont brake it by messing with it all day . Also dd was pushing it around living room bumping into everything so probably best to keep it out of her way, oh how she cried when mum put it in her car. Got a feeling she's going to want to push this baby EVERYWHERE when its born. Suppose thats a good thing, get her out of her pram and walking a lot sooner .

Rodeo - Monday? Gosh thats flown by. So i want my baby yesterday lol. Sister has to have hers first, shes due on 19th october. She very nicely pointed out to me that she will be so "glad" when she's got her baby and i'm still pregnant!

Have now decided that i'm not too keen on the name i chose for a girl, so i'm back to square one with a list of possibilities that i dont really like. I decided i like a different name altogether for a girl now, but can't use it as its the rabbits name lol!

Well i suppose i'd better go tidy the WHOLE house again, dd been through it like a tornado and got landlord coming round this afternoon for some reason, probably to make sure we haven't painted the house shocking pink or knocked walls down or something.

Sarah 32+3

Morning everyone! Have managed to log on to a library computer, so am just catching up on posts etc. Twinkle/Enthusia: thanks for Monday details. I will be there at 11, in the food court hopefully. Think I've seen it before (by the museum/Lowry centre?), but will give myself lots of time to get lost etc! V. excited, though DH jokes that you will be two beefy men in leathers from one of those dodgy preg' mags (not that I've ever seen one, but a friend in Sweden has!)Will not have a chance to log on again, so will (nervously) look around for bumps - any clues as to appearances to help me? Hope you are bearing up with the sickness Twinkle (and others) - it's too cruel! No time to have read through all the posts I'm afraid (group of school kids booked on to 'my' computer next - oh, to be back at work!)though glad to see Beks/Nova /Londoner are back. Chacha: go on, get the Isabella Oliver sleep set. I have the short one, and though extortionate, is something you would probably get wear from after birth, so just about justifiable!
Oh Rodeo...best of luck!! Will be thinking of you while wandering aimlessly around Manchester!
Diege, 34+4.

Ooh, just had 'flash up' of 5 minutes left!! Will try and pop in on Sat', but just realised that MOnday's details aren't actually finalised. So...I will take a risk and turn up anyway at 11, and if the worst comes to the worst, will just be billy no mates and go shopping! 2 mins left!! Oh the pressure!!

Hi Diege, You've almost twisted my arm into getting the sleep set!
Shame you couldn't CAT Enthusia then you could swap mobile numbers....

CADS - hasn't been on for ages....

I'm so jealous that you all get to meet up ....but I'm too far away. Sorry Londoner ( and everyone else) i keep forgetting who said what.....just blame the combination of preg hormones and old age