April 2011 - we'll shop til we pop!

[GoldFrakkincenseAndMyrrh]

Continuation from our old thread here

So maybe this thread we'll see some babies?! And definitely lots more shopping

Frakk - for a birth plan, make sure it is bullet points rather than paragraphs. Make sure you include the things that are the most important to you, and for the less important things - make sure dp is aware of what they are so he can be your advocate.

Start off my splitting the labour/birth into stages and then fill in the gaps.

So something like:

1st stage
early labour
established labour
transition
2nd stage
pushing
crowning
birth
3rd stage
birth of the placenta

Sorry to hear about the oversight beckie, but glad you're getting treatment. I would advise everyone to be proactive about test results and ask the MW about the results, this means they will check your notes and will pick up if anything has been missed.

My iron is 10.7 (10.5 or below is anaemic) and I've been taking floradix (albeit a bit sporadically), so I need to get my arse in gear and take it twice a day.

Oooh, BumGenius nappy has just arrived for me to look at. It's fab! If I go the reusable route it's definitely in the top three!

God I'm sad.

Re: birth plan, I just did my first draft last week. I've got it on a single A4 page in a table with the following headings and just a short comment for each (one or two sentences). Does this seem sensible? Am a bit at a loss.

Overall
Birth Partner
Location
Induction
Students
Position/movement
Pain relief
Length of labour
Skin to skin contact
Finding out the sex of the baby
Vitamin K
Third stage
Feeding

Cycle lol take the bag on wheels they have room under the bed if not in the locker. I take three bags so tough if they have a problem because I don't One for labour and DH to take home the other two for baby and myself in the post natal ward. Baby's bag is the flight bag and I have the overnight bag from the suitcase set we have. Labour bag is a sports bag, not hockey or javelin sports holder size though

As for the Birth plan Iliketomoveit is spot on.

Keep it a short list, bullet points and put things in bold if you really want to make a point, I have mine stapled to the back of my notes (don't leave it loose it will be mis-placed) and I aso keep a copy on the table/cabinet next to me in the labour room. It's important your birth partner reads and more importantly understands it before the day.

I have also added at the bottom underlined:

Should circumstances dictate, I am willing to consider other options so long as I am fully informed of the advantages and disadvantages.

Also:

If we are in any danger I would appreciate this being explained in non medical terms to me before taking action unless it's an emergency then you may just tell me what will happen.

Hope this helps. x

Ooh, I like Salted, good plan on the wording and stapling of plan to notes...

Oh my wheeled holdall only holds baby and overnight stuff. Labour bag will be separate I reckon! We're a 10-minute walk from the hospital so DP can always bring over my overnight bag if I need it. I have to pack for four days in case they go with the c-section.

4 days!!!!!!!!, I suggest a container then

At the very least a porter to follow you around!

Hello April family,

Loving all the birth plan tips. I wasn't sure about bothering this time round but seeing the outline now I'm thinking I'll put something together. Salted that last bit is genius, if they read nothing else I'm going to make sure they read that.

Just moved house on the weekend and am shattered, and I was mainly just bossing people about, not actually lifting anything. Nesting has hit me big time now and I'm feeling compelled to buy the Stokke Sleepi cot package. Have I gone mad with pregnancy hormones? Does anyone else think the expense is justifiable? Help!! I may have lost any sense of perspective on this one.

My birth plan consists of: DH & my mum at birth, Dh to cut the cord. Yes to injection.

I figured no point in putting anything else as it is all out of my hands anyway. I know of too many people who have felt disappointed because their plan wasn't followed to the letter - for various different reasons.

I have 1 bag packed that has everything in it for me and baby from start to finish. Am hoping that if it all goes smoothly that I will be back home within 4 hours like my last birth.

Feel like i have been kicked in the back the last few days and am struggling to get/keep comfy. Not long to go now though (45 days to EDD).

Off to make a before the kiddies head up for bath/bedtime :)

Caramel How wonderful on he house move, now you can really have an organised house before the big day. Nesting instinct I think moving house you can have all of ours too, you'll need it lol

Still nice for you to have a new house and new baby, very exciting year so far!

We are still house hunting although since the floods in 2009 there isn't much property for sale that's either outside of the flood zone that an insurance company won't refuse to insure you on or that's still been rented to people who's homes are still being re-built! Maybe later in the year after baby we can move.

OMG thats great now I can have my jammy dodger with tea instead of the wine

and one for bump

Not sure about what looks like a blue cannabis leaf on the mug though maybe pain relief option?! lol

SP - I think it is the MN logo?

I'm glad you take 3 bags into hospital, because that's what it's looking like for me too. I need a ton of stuff because I'll be in for 2 days minimum because of the gestational diabetes, and 3-4 days if I have a section. We aren't that far away from the hospital, but I like to be prepared!
We're going away this weekend and I really want to take hospital bags with me, but I'm wondering whether to pack just a very basic bag on the basis that things are unlikely to kick off this early (will be 35 weeks on Saturday).

I sat on my bed like a loon this afternoon with this huge pile of stuff around me and just couldn't work out how I wanted to pack it all!

caramel - congratulations on the move, how lovely to have a blank canvass to nest in!

becki - glad they have sorted you out now!

Thanks Lucielooo and Cycle.

Can't wait for my ML to start - even got a payslip today for Feb which includes some SMP so it's all very real! My plan for ML is to sleep and take it easy - all my friends who have children say make the most of it as you'll never sleep in again!
I'm sure the 5 weeks will go quickly - the run up to mine has flown by - I think it's just this week that might drag a bit!

Caramel - congrats on the house move. I'm jealous as looks like we'll be moving right before baby is born or just after which will be total chaos although I'll be doing the same as you and be ordering others around! Pregnancy is a great excuse to get out of packing and carrying boxes etc.

Epic fail. Fell over on the way to work so have bruised shins and a DP begging me to give up work now rather than wait out the three weeks.

I had made my case for staying on then had a two-hour commute home because of crap trains. Crawled up stairs doubled over with backache. 'So working so far away isn't so bad then?' along with face was DP's only comment.

lucieloo my irons 10.5. The medicines vile isn't it. Going to see if I can get a medicine syringe so it doesn't touch the sides!

caramel congrats on the move.

cycle hope ur ok?!

We had our last parentcraft last night. First half was about breastfeeding. Second half was a tour of maternity. All looks ok. Am hoping to head for the midwife led unit fingers crossed, and the birth pool if it's available!
Thanks to everyone who gave birth plan tips. Very helpful. I am going in with my ideal but an open mind to them doing what's best for me and kitten at the end of the day.
Off to relaxation class this afternoon. I believe we are practicing birthing positions today!!

Am feeling a bit better this morning. Still feel annoyed with myself for falling. It's because of my weird hips rather than the pregnancy. At least the two young men who picked me up were handsome

I kind of feel like I have to work these last few weeks even if it was too much but I'm soooo looking forward to the end.

My last day tomorrow at work, even though i only work one day a week, I've completely lost interest and have serious brain mush. Not good for an optometrist.
I didn't bother writing a birth plan with DC2 as nothing went to plan with DC1 and i felt happier just going with the flow!
This time I've just said that I don't want Kielland forceps - I'd rather have the CS.

Cycle Poor you, it's not fun almost falling over, just the thought scares me on the bright side the hunks can to your rescue so at least a little eye candy to cheer you up . I hope your bruises go soon.

3 weeks is a long time left at this stage, you'll have to low things down continually until you finish otherwise you'll spend the rest of your pregnancy licking your wounds when you should be enjoying the last weeks

Have another scan on 1st March ca't wit to see our little bump again. Kick poke has become rather violent it's more a case of we poke and bump tries to assassinate me DH thinks it's hilarious to hear me cry out in pain as baby tries to CS me .

OK I'm back on the laptop and keep knocking the mouse pad which makes me miss letters out, please fill in the blanks lol!

Lol salted

I just had good news. Work have agreed to me coming back Mon-Wed 8-5 which is what i wanted. They have also told me what my salary will be, just need to check that meets my expectations.The FD is a mate and gave me some figures which i have jotted down at home. I may or may not have to do the office managment when i get back. Even if i do it will be a lighter version, and i dont mind as i pretty much got what i want. Whoop.

Cycle poor you! It's bad enough falling over when your not pg (I do it all the time and try to laugh it off), but you just want to cry when it happens just now! Although the thought of hunk picking me up would may stem the tears until I got home! Look after yourself.

We had a lovely weekend with friends. We were at the rugby on Saturday, my friend is Welsh, so we have a little tradition of going to the Scotland v Wales 6 nations game every year. DH was at the end of our seats next to (and I agree) to the most annoying woman in the world! She had a go at me for being pregnant at a rugby match although I think that was more to do with me using the gents loos becuase the queue for the ladies was huge and I had busters head bouncing up and down on my bladder! DH is usually quite placid, but if he heard "Wales, Wales...." one more time in his ear, I was worried about the consequences! Still even though Scotland were gubbed, we had a great time!

I spoke to my doc yesterday and I am now officially off until mat leave. Was meant to start ML on 4th March, but I'll be signed off until then. Need to find things to keep me busy! There is only so much daytime TV I can stand! and I'm not sure MNing is a valid use of my time off!

I've packed version 1 of my bag. I'm going to have to buy a bigger one! This one bag only rule is stupid! Maybe I'll do a birthing bag for when we arrive at hospital, then have the overnight one with clothes for me and baby in the car and swap over when I get moved to the ward.

What a stupid woman Lis!

I've been to Harlequins games during my pregnancy. Rugby games are NOT like football matches, there's far more of a family atmosphere and I've never witnessed any violence. Besides, am horribly jealous that you got to go! I didn't have to use the gents loos as the women in the queue insisted I go first last time I went

Hmmmm actually, I wonder if hunky rugby players would be the ones to help you out of the stands if your waters went at a game, surely you'd at least get free season tickets?

Workwise I'm trying to wind down but I'm under so much pressure it's ridiculous. I still have a day and a half of leave to take on top of a day off I've got next week but I have no days to take the time off as 'we're too busy'.

Can't wait to go off!

Oooh! Hunky rugby players rescuing me........

Hello April ladies.

I haven't posted on here for ages but am trying to keep up with everything. Work has gone bananas for me the last couple of months and the countdown to maternity leave seems to mean it's going to stay that way for the next six weeks too. Suddenly everyone has realised that I am off and is asking for meetings, which means I spend all my time in meetings rather than doing all the tasks that I want to get done before I go! Oh well, at some point I will have a baby and then it will be tough. I won't be doing anything else. Though at this rate I'll be giving birth at my desk with one ear to the phone.

Great news on your work kitty that must be a load off. How great to be able to go off knowing you have it all sorted.

Lis can't believe someone had a pop at you for being pregnant at a rugby match! Are we supposed to lock ourselves away for months now?!

Cycle hope you're ok after your fall. I admire you doing a commute still. Every time I have to go through central London I am thankful that I don't have to do it every day.

I am way behind on planning for hospital bag and birth plan. 31 weeks at the moment so hopefully I have a little bit of time. Yikes. I have done most of the shopping but it all needs washing and packing. Not sure what to do about nursing bras. Should I buy some in advance? Surely your size changes rather a lot once the milk comes in? I was thinking of maybe getting a couple of vests and then getting measured for bras once I'm up and running, or is that daft to think I'll be able to swan around the shops once baby comes along?

I seem to have slowed down significantly over the last couple of weeks. Water retention is driving me crazy and means that I walk at snails pace when I get tired. I now realise that pregnancy goes on for 9 months so that at the end you don't feel scared about the birth anymore because you will do anything, regardless of how painful it might be, just so that you don't have to be pregnant any longer! I really am bored of it now.

Off to Paris at the weekend. Decided to risk it so am armed with Health Insurance, basic French and the firm belief that I will be fine. Here's hoping. I'm looking forward to some good food and the odd glass of wine. Yippee.

Well DH saw the Comfort fabric conditioner for the baby clothes and decided he wanted some soft baby smelling clothes so he washed a few loads including undies.

After several tests he is definitely allergic to comfort so re-think on baby clothes softener! He says he's not testing it on undies again though

Kitty Great news a victory

Cycle You sound like you have a stressful life with commuting and your job then again with my in laws in Epsom and having been to London a handful of times, hats off to you guys that live there, I think I'd have had a break down My idea of rush hour is been stuck behind the herd when there being moved to another field or the milking sheds

Best Quote Ever JoEW!

"I now realise that pregnancy goes on for 9 months so that at the end you don't feel scared about the birth anymore because you will do anything, regardless of how painful it might be, just so that you don't have to be pregnant any longer!"

That's exactly it! People have started asking me if I'm nervous about the birth. About the birth?! No way! About having a baby to look after and pay for? Completely!

Salted I second your thoughts on South East living. We're not quite so isolated, but the harvest plays havoc with our commute!

Last night I changed my fb picture to a bump pic, Little Bro has just commented "sure I'm only getting one nephew?!" Cheekey oik!