End of Jan babies, come out, come out where ever you are!!!

[Pootle78]

New thread here for those final few weeks (fingers crossed!)

AmI and Running - last time I used this book (hope the link works as it's my first attempt) which was recommended to me by a friend. It talks a lot about breathing and movement and visualization for dealing with pain. It's a bit new-agey in places, and to be honest I just ignored anything that I thought would make me feel like too much of a tit, but it was definitely useful preparation and I did use a lot of the techniques.

The main thrust of it is to find ways of stopping yourself from freezing up and panicking, because panic makes the pain worse. I know it sounds fine in theory, but I really found it worked in practice too. I had a LONG labour - 20 hours pre-labour + 18 hours established labour including 2.5 hours solid pushing. I still managed with only gas and air for the worst of the pain, which I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have if I hadn't read this first.

That's not to say it was a breeze. It was without doubt the most exhausting and painful thing I've ever done, but I never felt it was more than I could cope with and I came away feeling absolutely exhilarated that it was the most amazing experience I'd ever had. Hopefully it'll work for me this time too (but hopefully I won't have quite such a marathon this time!).

Actually, one thing I would say which has nothing to do with breathing exercises is make sure you rest as much as possible in advance. When I started to go into labour I wasn't sure what it was and decided just to carry on and go out to meet friends as usual. That was fine because it built up very slowly, but it did mean that by the time I got back I was already tired. Then the contractions got too bad to sleep even though they were still not that bad. By the time I got to established labour I had already been up for a day. By the time I got to the pushing stage and really needed my energy I had been up for two days and eaten virtually nothing. By the time I got out of hospital and somewhere quiet/familiar enough to sleep I had been awake for 40 hours!

Oooh mimou, I've just read that book, and thought it was really interesting. Seemed to back up a lot of what I'd been told at NCT too.

I've got backache and stuff again, as I've not had braxton hicks that I've been aware of I've no idea what my body is trying to tell me - so feet are up and grapes are being eaten.

Ooh running, you've made me fancy some grapes now, so I'm just going to get some from the fridge, yummy!

I've calmed down a bit from being stressy earlier, now I'm just irritable lol. DD came home with a soaking wet, mud covered coat, so I'm not impressed with the school letting her get into that state. It annoyed me far more than it should!

Plus I actually caught sight of my hair in a mirror whilst I waiting in the car at the school and I didn't realise how terrible it is. I have only had it cut a few times this pregnancy (both pre-summer) because I haven't felt like sitting in a hairdressers with the constant nausea.

Anyway it is in such bad condition, dry with major split ends, I need at least 2 inches off it. Looks I'm off to get it cut into a bob when this baby is finally out, which means I better start blow drying it again .

hey ladies, quick post from me, internet failing me, no idea why but am using wap for 1st time and it's taken all day just to load this. Rock try freecycle we got a fab sofa bed from there. Hi all. Bye all until home internet fixes itself.

I completely failed to locate my inner coffee plunger, though Running. Was reading that bit last night and vowing to do better this time! :)

Didn't have Braxton Hicks 1st time either. For me it started very slowing with a tiny bit of spotting and period-type aches/pains, but everyone's different (and so, I gather, is every pregnancy).

Thanks for the advice mimou- not sure whether ordering that book will somehow send the message to little one to arrive early before I've read it- I'm hopeless! so might try ordering after my nighties have arrived! How ridiculously supersticious (?-what's happening to my spelling?!) of me !

Another question that's arisen from finally starting to pack my bag:
Do I pack short sleeve vests with the poppoer thingies and then sleepsuits for the baby to wear over them? Or long sleeve vests to be worn alone? Dear Lord- the poor baby- I'm clueless!
They've said they have bedding there so I'm thinking I just need a blanket for when we leave hospital?
Also- not that they've said I'll be there for 48 hours for baby to be observed I seem to be packing as if for a week long holiday! My mini case and gym bag are overflowing! This is why I was avoiding packing the bag- didn't want to realise fully how little a clue I actually have!

why do I type the word not every time I mean now?!?!

Slowing? Slowly!

I can't type either! Comes of trying to cook dinner, sew, copy CDs for labour, and MN all at the same time...

DS was born in May and we had sleeveless vests and sleepsuits then. I am taking the same this time plus some long-sleeved vests just in case as it's earlier in the year. I'll probably get DH to bring something suitable for going home when he comes to collect us, then we can see what the weather's like on the day.

The temp. in the hospital was about 45 degrees C, but DS's temp was a bit low when he came out and they insisted on keeping him all bundled up and under the baby-grill for the first day, so to be on the safe side I am taking lots of layers and a hat for his little brother. Didn't have a hat last time and had to borrow a hospital one which was proper horrid. THe sleepsuits with integral scratchmitts and feet are good. DS figured out how to get normal scratchmitts off about two hours after he was born!

Hi, I've got vests and/or short sleeved body suits to put under a sleepsuit with a lovely cardigan my mum knitted, plus a hat (cos all babies come with hats ) then a snow suit type thing and a blanket for the journey home. Depending on the weather will either use all of that or just the blanket rather than the snowsuit thing. DD had a happy knack of removing scratch mits the minute we put them on so the sleepsuits with them in are useful. I also found a couple of pairs of mits with elastic in them which worked for a while.
Really fed up now, feeling restless today which I'm hoping might mean the start of something but not holding my breath. On a positive note think we've cracked the potty training, haven't had an accident since Sunday. Very proud of my little lady and just hoping it continues when the bump arrives.
How's everyone else feeling and what's for tea? I've no idea what I want to eat tonight nothing is appealing to me, may have to send DH out for fish and chips.

I have had a hissy fit this afternoon, poor DP. We've had sweet and sour chicken for tea tonight, he cooked whilst I cooled off.

My mum is coming up to take me out tomorrow, am fancying a Starbucks hot choc so might have to persuade her it's a good scheme.

I now have no idea what I've put in the hospital bag, but I think it's vests, body suits, sleepsuits, hat, cardigan, snow suit - it's a bit like the conveyor belt on the Generation Game!

Rock - bubba is absolutely right, try Freecycle, is a great place for stuff.

Mimou, I thought of the coffee plunger when I watched OBEM - the mad screaming woman really hadn't located hers....

Urgh, think eating loads of grapes was a big mistake! Sorry for TMI, but had the most horrendous upset tummy around 5.30. It was really painful and has made me feel very sick.

I've decided not to have any dinner as I'm pretty sure it will just go straight through me. I'm wondering if this is the big "clear-out" befor events begin, although I'm not having any cramps and baby is still moving around alot, so I won't hold my breath.

I really think I will have to write today off as it's been rather rubbish so far.

Thanks for all the Freecycle recommendations! I get regular emails from Freecycle, so I am keeping an eye out for a sofa bed to come up in the listings.

travis my mil is coming from Cyprus. Both pil live there on British forces camp.

rock we have also just ordered a sofa bed. A cheap one from ASDA online in chocolate. We didn't want to spend lots of money as we will probably get rid of it in a year or so when and if we move abroad. Always dreaming about emigrating to Oz... or moving to Qatar or somewhere tax free lol.
ooh Eastenders is on. Haven't watched that for ages...

Hi All!

I've got short-sleeved too....

I am feeling CRAP today - really uncomfy - baby moved, i think i rushed lunch, antenatal was okay, but cos it was the health visitor visiting this time, and i'd seen the health visitor this morning, was all kind of repeated. I have REALLY bad back ache tonight - even went for a lie down. Only managed half a dinner (UNHEARD OF) even though i am still hungry - but just feel like i have no room. if DH was here - i'd be begging baby to come out.

rock try gumtree if not as well as freecycle - hope you get a bargain. Or could you try one of those Furniture charity shops - i think there's one i've seen on the way back from Newton Abbott - you'd still have to pay, but would be cheaper than brand new.

running love the generation game analogy for the hospital bag - very much like mine too!

Also had an email from MIL saying that her, and DH's uncle & Aunt have pencilled in the 5/6 or 13/12 to come and stay at the B&B - how much time, realistically do you think they'll be here - actually in this house... i'm trying not to get stressed as this'll stress and annoy my mum, but will MIL be here like from 8am and then til 5pm??? How am i going to handle telling them to p-ss off when I've had enough??? Without offending them I mean.

And I feel 100% sympathy for those of you who have been feeling like I am feeling tongiht - but have had to put up with it for longer. i thought getting to sleep last night was bad, but i have a feeling it'll be horrid tonight.

Oh no, poor you cupcakes. I think you just slope off to your bedroom with baby to take a joint rest/do a feed to hint to them it is time for them to leave. Tbh you shouldn't feel bad about doing that or telling them when you are tired. Sounds like they are dictating quite a lot rather than discussing it with you properly. I am getting shooting pains again tonight but determined to stay calm.

confused about Eastenders storyline now. Does Kat think her baby is dead then?

Not sure salt was thinking the same thing - although Jean seems to have an idea - but she's got a Sixth sense hasn't she!

Where are the shooting pains rock?

And isn't it lucky that bubba told us about her WAP thingy - otherwise we'd be wondering about her tonight! I wonder how Zippy is - and whether the baby just popped out effortlessly. I hope so.

Haven't had shooting pains Cupcake, just upset tummy and horrible crampiness with them, my tummy just feels sore now.

I have just managed a few digestive biscuits as I was so hungry, but don't think my body can handle anything else. I really hope this doesn't happen again, but I have heard that many women get funny tummies on and off in the days/weeks before birth.

I will try and look up that furniture shop Cupcake, thanks.

That was me cupcake. It gets confusing doesn't it. I was thinking of taking notes earlier as when I'm catching up I'm thinking 'i must say that to blah blah' but by the time I get to the end i've forgotten what I was gonna say and to who Probably pregnancy brain can't multi task !

evening!

will have a big catch up read asap - busy afternoon for everyone!

must have a bath - feels like bump is trying to punch his way out, accompanied by hiccups!

Sounds like we've all had active baby days. Mine has been kicking seven shades of sh*t out of me all day and keeps hitting a nerve in my back. DP walked me all up the High Street so I'm knackered too.

However, we now have our pram which looks fabulous.

My mum has been telling me how short here labours were - 5 hours for me and three for my sister and that's start to finish. I know my sister had similarly short labours so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

gallic I love your mum! That's perfect isn't it - exactly what you want to hear - let's keep fingers crossed for you. What pram did you get?

And yes - sorry salt and rock - got you confused know what you mean when you say you need to take notes

I've been uncomfy all night! Really really uncomfy - i thought it felt like a basketball before, but now it feels like a giant steel ball. I think he might have engaged - it feels really heavy and sore down there and i have really bad back ache tonight.

I've been a bit bad, I got some truffles for christmas from my mum and dad (i know my dad picked them cos i saw him go into the shop) - so I was planning to save them - but we decided to open them tonight - and thank god we did as my dad had picked up alcohol truffles - so i only liked about 3 (fussy girl) - so i think if i had saved them and been like really really looking forward to them, i would have been properly gutted, IYSWIM. Luckily it all went over my dad's head, but my mum was all "oh, i'm so sorry your dad's crap at picking out truffles, etc" - but i don't mind!

Now - for all those with kids already - at antenatal classes today, they said that dad's get baby blues too - and it's more common than you think. Has anyone's DP had it? or do you think you'd actually know they have it?

Ooh that's a very good question cupcakes. Hope mine doesn't get baby blues although lord knows he reckons he has every other pregnancy symptom i've had thus far. Tah, he can have labour pains too in that case lol! It's been very quiet on here tonight - goddamnit I'm bored and need entertaining!!

Well - salt i'm about to get flamed i think MN style. I just posted on breast feeding about gina ford. I did a bit of a search first, and MNers basically equate gina ford to the devil...so they're going to kill me for even asking if anyone who's used it can give me an opinion! Eeek

I should be going to bed soon - but i'm kind of anxious that i'm not going to get comfortable... plus I'm still hungry but feel like i can't get anything more in!

hmm, I just ate an entire pack of fig rolls so I hear you on the hungry front!
Ha, don't worry about the Gina Ford thread, some people can be quite opinionated and mean on here. I had it before once when I made the mistake of mentioning on an alcohol thread that I enjoyed the odd glass and ate some blue cheese. OMG!! The responses I got. Some one accused me of being irresponsible and a bad mother. Honastly some people love to judge others