March 2011 - The final countdown!!

[1Catherine1]

I hope you all find this thread easily enough. This is the latest list we had on the thread. Keep it updated people - looking forward to seeing due dates turn into birthdays! :)

24/02 Sam26Oscar DC2
25/02 Spilttheteagain pg#1, baby Bobbie, a girl, born sleeping on 09/10/2010 at 20 weeks, RIP xxx
27/02 Muser pg#1
27/02 Mendipgirl pg#2 (DD1)
27/02 StrangewaysHereICome pg#3 (DD 5yrs DD 4yrs) Worcester SURPRISE
28/02 BramblyHedge pg#3, (DS1 4, DS2 2)
01/03 BunderTheBonnet pg#2 (DD3) Kent.
01/03 Snapdragon3 pg#9 (MMC, DD 3, DS 2, 5 MC)
01/03 MummyGeorgie pg#1
01.03 rfata Expecting TWINS!!
02/03 AfterIVF pg#1
03/03 Celia76 pg#3 (DS1 5 & DS2 almost 3)
03/03 cherub59 pg#3 (DS 3 & DD 20months) expecting a boy
03/03 TooImmature2BMum pg#1, BABY GIRL
04/03 Larty74 BABY BOY
04/03 Bluebeach pg#1
04/03 Jeffily pg#3,(DD1 angel baby, DD2 15months)
04/03 Carriebadshaw pg#2
04/03 Superpenguin pg#1
05/03 Hattie05 pg5 (DD1 7, DD2 3, no. 3 mc, DD3 7mths) Baby boy on the way
05/03 NowPanicAndFreakOut pg#1
05/03 Bollandbear (ds1)
07/03 Toota pg#?
07/03 Mixedmama pg#3 (DS1 4.5 and DS2 2.5) London. BOY
07/03 Lauzifer pg#1 expecting a girl
08/03 Clucky31 pg#1
08/03 Polkadottytotty pg#3 (DS1 5.5 and DS2 3.5)
09/03 Sittinghippo pg#2 (DD3) BABY on the way
09/03 Penguindreams #1 & 2!
09/03 Pushmepullyou pg#4 3MC, DD20 mo BABY BOY
09/03 gem3225 pg#1
09/03 DramaMama pg#3 (BABY GIRL) DS now 4 + 1 angel baby.
10/03 EvianBaby pg#2 (DS1 Oct 08)
10/03 Coraltoes pg#1
10/03 Sevenbubbles pg#2 (DD1 23.5 months)
10/03 Mama2LeahandAisha pg#3 (DD2, DD1)
10/03 LovelyKatie pg#1
10/03 spaceal expecting first- baby girl
11/03 Rayeraye pg#4 (DD aged 3, two angels)
11/03 am988 pg#1
11/03 Sarahscot pg#2 (DS aged 3) BABY GIRL
11/03 chny1 pg#1 expecting a boy
12/03 Medee pg#1
13/03 Gemmasetters pg#2 (DD 2.5)
13/03 Doubleshotlatte pg#2 (DD 2.5)
13/03 HeadingHome
13/03 katster37 pg#2 (DS 10mo)
13/03 MJM86 pg#1
14/03 ZafNoodles
16/03 Honeymoonmummy (was Campervanfan) pg#2 (DD born Nov 08)
16/03 Sharu Expecting a baby girl
17/03 KateandEmsMum pg#5 (DD 3, DD 10 Months)
17/03 MrsMullen pg#1
17/03 looblee pg#1
17/03 edeluna pg#1 It's a girl!
17/03 Niknan pg#3 (DS3,1MC)
17/03 Coco29 pg#1 (1MC) Its a BOY!
18/03 EvaLongoria pg#2 (DD 3 on Thursday)
18/03 Oceanbreeze pg#1
18/03 JeelyPiece pg#3(2MC)
18/03 Jenchandler Expecting baby #1
18/03 Purplefan pg#2 (DD 4.5) Baby girl on way
18/03 Rockchick1984 pg1 baby boy
19/03 castlegirl pg#1
19/03 angelbabe1982 pg2 (ds 2.9)
20/03 Kagey pg#2 (DD Sept 08) SURPRISE!
20/03 Haloflo pg#1 surprise
20/03 nancydrewrocked
20/03 1Catherine1 pg#1 expecting a baby girl
21/03 Jupiter118 Pg#2 (DS 3.5)
22/03 NoSleepTonight pg#3 (DS1 5.8, DS2 15months)
22/03 jammiedodger2 pg#3 (DD9 DS6)
22/03 Niamh29, DD1 4, DD2 1.5, DD3 on the way
23/03 Me23 pg#2(DD 5)Baby boy on the way!
23/03 Lozario pg#2 (DS 15 mo)
23/03 Katystar pg#2 (DS 4)
23/03 Lia66 PG#10, (dd 15, ds 13, ds 7, dd 5, dd 3 (4 angels)) BABY GIRL
23/03 sac55
24/03 Snotdroolanddirtybums pg#4 (5, 3 and 2)
25/03 Darnsarfupnorf pg#1 (DD on the way)
27/03 KPidgeon pg#1 (changed by 1 day)
27/03 FuzzyWuzzwuzz pg#1
28/03 Chickiewoo pg#2 (DS 4)
29/03 Emma31177 pg#7 (Ds 14, DD 19 months +4 baby angles) Baby BOY on his way
29/03 PipPipPip pg#1
30/03 pettyprudence pg#1
30/03 JoJoB77 pg#1

copy latest list, paste, edit, post

Me too muser come to think of it. Anyone up for a prediction on who's going to be first? My virtual money is on sam. Apparently on average babies are 9 days overdue, my friend was telling me today. i tell you, if I go 9 days overdue I might even consider having sex to get things going!

Oh and tooimmature DH and I never go to Ikea together anymore since he shouted at me in the hall of the Croydon branch because he had left the measuring tape at home and we nearly got a divorce over a sofa that then didn't fit in our car. We sat in silence for the 2 hour drive home and since then it's a running joke- "shall we go to Ikea and have a huge row?!" The only place that is as bad for us is the local ALDI where we can never agree on the correct brilliant deal to buy!

My DH is a lovely, brilliant, caring and funny man BTW. Just realised my posts today make him out to be a right rotter!

I think betting on sam is cheating, she has an advantage! I am willing to bet it's not me. Bet someone sneaks up and does a queue jump.

It'll be lovely when the babies start arriving, although I wish that spilt was here doing it with us.

oooh i cant wait for the first announcements!
Really hope i dont go 9 days over jeffily i am the most impatient person ever!!

tooimmature Ikea = divorce capital of the UK. My DH took me after work on a FRIDAY before dinner. I fell out with him before we'd even got there. I thought he was taking me home :( but he duped me (he knows i'd never go otherwise). It was worth it as we bought fitted wardrobes for the spare room, but my god we were crabby by the end of it! The bumper packs of Dime bars helped though, as did the chinese takeaway when we got home!

Right, i've developed a clicky jaw. It gets a tiny bit stuck until i wiggle it. is this preg related or too much eating?! So many strange things happening to my body it is hard to keep track!

I have a saintly husband. He went to Ikea by himself on his day off last week to buy our last bits and pieces. His reasoning being Ikea was no place for a pregnant lady.

evian, spaceal and jupiter at my antenatal class the midwife said that the best ways to try and turn your baby is to try and not lean back too much, eg driving you will be slouched, leaning back on the couch etc. Pillows behind you for driving should hopefully make a difference, and if sat down eg watching telly try and lean forwards on birthing ball or sit backwards on a dining chair and lean over the back. Also said while on hands and knees try to move about eg clean your skirting boards!

Me and dh have just been playing with the car seat, think we have figured out how to do it but it seems so weird seeing it in the car - doesn't seem worth taking it out again tho and trying to find somewhere to store it! 7 weeks to go, am talking to my baby and asking him not to be late, really don't wanna go overdue! Have read that once you are at 40 weeks, a few drops of clary sage essential oil in a bath will bring on labour, has anyone tried this? I'm hoping for a water birth but couldn't have 1 if I go very overdue and need to be induced!

Jeffily, you aren't the only one who's OH is really good at driving you mad atm. Its ok, we didn't think he was horrible (or at least I didn't) for not cleaning up after himself, I just thought he sounded like any other man. Mine is just as bad - last night he came to bed and told me the cat had poo-ed on the living room floor and this morning I go and it was still there. I did question why he had found it and NOT cleaned it himself.

I don't get why men have to go to IKEA on a weekday evening rather than a Saturday like any normal woman would suggest. Our local store is over an hour away and driving there after work was quite exhausting but it was either that or let him sulk with me. When it came to baby shopping he has just left it to me though so we've avoided IKEA up to now. :)

Had an emotional day again today. I do love my job really but I'm not really up to childish pranks atm - the putting drawing pins on my chair stunt wouldn't usually have bothered me but today it set me off on a bad footing and I just got worse and worse. Ended my day telling the 2 kids on report that I just didn't care and to go, leave my classroom and shut the door behind them I wonder if I will get angry phone calls from their parents for being so rude to them. I then broke down in tears and phoned the OH who was great and calmed me down. After getting off the phone I had all the woman in the department in my classroom checking in on me to make sure I was ok and insisting I go home and take no work with me. I think I can understand why some women take maternity leave so early.

Anyway... sorry for another rant. Going to have a relaxing weekend, picking up the carrycot I bought of e-bay tomorrow assuming the woman I'm buying it off doesn't go into labour, she e-mailed me to let me know that it is also her due date. I did wonder why she was selling a carrycot as she was about to give birth but decided there must be a reasonable explanation. Maybe its her second child and she needs a double, I'll probably know tomorrow. Then I think I'll do some baby clothes shopping :)

muser LOL at your DH -ikea no place for a pregnant lady. Once finished work I intend to go my own for a good browse. Question is do I have the gumption to buy a new bed without DH??

DH is largely lovely he is better house husband than I am wife - not a domestic goddess tbh. We do row in ikea though!

Picked up new Moses basket mattress this pm - DS not helpful when at the shops but I suppose cos he is 4. Also got stretchy pj bottoms in dregs of gap sale for under £5!

Catherine drawing pins what horrid children/pupils!!!

LOL, DH and I just returned from an afternoon at Ikea. I have to say, I much prefer a weekday afternoon visit to a weekend one, but I'm now exhausted and ready to curl up with my hot water bottle. It's so cold again!

Antenatal class at UCLH tomorrow, then the breastfeeding class next weekend. I also went to an antenatal yoga class last night and learned some breathing techniques that will hopefully prove useful in a few weeks. It was much gentler than the class I usually go to, and a welcome change of pace.

It seems like everything I do right now is baby-centred (although our Ikea expedition actually wasn't). I'm still amazed at just how much it has taken over my brain. Part of me is wondering (and worrying) if and when I'll ever start thinking about anything else again. I don't want to be all babybabybaby all the time and a bore to be around!

I'm laughing at all the IKEA stories. Just before reading them DH and I equally decided AGAINST our trip tomorrow and since he mainly works from home, decided on a mid-week trip soonish. I'm not even looking forward to that which is unheard of, but has to be done. Tomorrow might be the John Lewis outlet and/or the new John Lewis home shop.

I did the most ridiculous thing today - tried on and bought a swimming costume. in the middle of January. I was with a pregnant friend, and we both did it so maybe that helped. I can't really walk as exercise anymore, so really want to try the swimming thing.

My DP refuses to enter Ikea (and any supermarket/department store as well for that matter), so you are all lucky if they come with you! At least going on my own I get to make all the decisions!

Picked up my ebay cot today, so just the mattress to get now. That and a babysling and nappies and we are nearly there I think....though we are going for cloth nappies and I am still completely bewildered by what to buy!

DP works in a school in Bristol and told me today that a year 10 girl has just found out she is 35 weeks pregnant!! I am in as I am 35 weeks too and looking like I'm hiding a basket ball up my jumper. Poor girl though, that's a hell of a discovery to make!!

Morning all,

Had to laugh at Ikea. DH claims I always end up shouting in Ikea. He does like a good browse and I find it annoying.

MW called yesterday to say my iron levels are evn lower than when I was prescribed the pills (I have been naughty about taking them as they make me feel nauseous) and now have to go for another blood test on Monday to check my levels of something else that I didnt catch but if these are low then she will refer me to consultant - eek which means labour ward and no birthing centre if under consultant care so am being very good and taking my pills.

Still waiting for a date on the next scan but they seem to be quite good and sure it will be here soon.

Ede - I had DS1 as UCLH and it was brilliant - they have their lovely new centre now though we were in the old building.

Taking DC to the family rhyme time at the library in a bit then mum and dad having them for the evening so am hoping to go somewhere with DH - maybe cinema.

Bluebeach i live in weston!! Fair play to your DH no way i could teach kids in Bristol !!! I look after them before they get to school in nice big houses

I am thinking of going to ikea now everyones been talking about it!!
I need a small table to put clock and drink etc for night time feeds but refuse to pay £20 for poxy table!! Ikea got them for about £7 thats more like it! Also want to try out the poang chair before i search on ebay!! As you can see i don't like to pay full price for anything if i can help it

Have another uti, am on different tablets this time which has made my wee bright green!! SOOO glad pharmicist warned me befoe hand but its amazing how quick they work. I had 2 doses before i went to bed and lo and behold i slept 6 hrs straight off, all week have been up every 2-3 hrs didn't occur to me it could be a uti just thought it was being heavily pregnant!

So feel marvellous today

have good weekends and try to avoid shouting /rowing with partners if you going ikea x (although you will ALWAYS be right )

hello ladies, hope all is well. We plan a trip to Ikea mid-Feb when in Glasgow (there's none in our city) - maybe I should reconsider for the sake of my health and our marriage!

{grin] I'm sure you'll be fine Medee!

Ladies, after you were all talking about Raspberry Leaf tea I decided I was going to get some. Just got back from tesco's and read the back of the box, it reads:

If pregnant, seek medical advice before drinking this product. Raspberry leaf should be avoided by those in the early stages of pregnancy

Now obviously 33 weeks isn't early pregnancy so that bit isn't worrying but do I really have to seek medical advice before drinking it? It got me all worried, I'm in good health and had a pretty normal boring pregnancy so far so should I be ok to drink it? Should I hold off it for a while? Someone on here (I forgot who) said it builds up in your system rather than having an immediate response so its not going to mean baby comes early, right?

I read that on a pack of raspberry leaf capsules catherine. I asked the lady in the shop (was a health food store) and she said that it is a sort of 'fail safe' statement, there is no evidence that it brings on premature labour- in fact if drunk in the later stages of preg it is supposed to help prevent premature birth and going overdue. But you are not supposed to start drinking it till you are 32 weeks. It was me who said it builds up in your system (that's why it's no good waiting till you are overdue and downing gallons of the stuff!) but I am no expert and all I know I have gleaned from my internet research and chatting to my MW. Maybe if you are worried it is worth waiting till your next appointment and chatting it over with your MW? But I am pretty sure that you will be fine to start drinking it now. And it doesn't say that on my pack!

Have to go and get DD out the bath!

it is fine to take from 32 weeks here I have copied an article from midwives online website which should put minds at rest

"It?s commonly believed that drinking raspberry leaf tea or tablets will help to induce labour and this supplement is taken by many a pregnant woman keen to speed up their baby's arrival into the world. Unfortunately this is a misconception; raspberry leaf tea doesn't actually help to bring on labour at all.

In a study carried out in Sydney, Australia (1), 192 first-time mums were given either a 1.2g raspberry leaf tablet or a placebo twice a day from 32 weeks of pregnancy. The herb had no harmful effects on mother or baby, and those women who had taken raspberry leaf tablets were found to have a shorter second stage of labour and a lower rate of forceps delivery (19.3% versus 30.4%). However, far more research is needed to confirm these results.

Raspberry leaf tea contains the alkaloid 'fragine' which is said to strengthen and tone the muscles of the uterus, helping them to contract more efficiently during labour.

It is very important not to use raspberry leaves until the last two months of pregnancy because of their stimulating effect on the uterus. Once you have reached the 32nd week of your pregnancy you could begin with one cup of raspberry leaf tea a day and gradually increase up to 4 cups or tables a day (although this may vary in accordance with the strength of the blend and the manufacturers instructions). The tea can be sipped freely during labour, too.

You can buy raspberry leaf tablets from health food stores. However many women prefer to make a tea from the dried herb, which is available from some health shops.

1 Simpson M. Parsons M. Greenwood J. et al. 2001. Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labour. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health. 46(2): pp. 51-9.

Ferguson P (Feb/Mar 2009) turning over a new leaf for pregnancy. Midwives: The royal College of Midwives p 34-36"

www.midwivesonline.com/parents/parents1?ttl=faqans&faq=285

I'm going out tonight with dp for dinner italian can't wait!

Hi ladies,

I've been chuckling at the Ikea stories - my partner loves Ikea for some reason. When we moved into our new house, he wanted to go there every second day. I would say "oh GOD not Ikea again!!" and, by the end, just left him to it.

Had first NCT session. We've struck gold with a lovely teacher and six friendly couples. Actually really looking forwards to the rest of it!

Jeffily I love the sound of H&M maternity vests! I'm not that big-boobed and generally find bras to be a hassle. A vest sounds lovely. Will have a look.

Muser you're right that someone will surely pop soon. But who? Yikes, makes it seem v real.

1Caterine1 I laughed at the cat poo story and read it aloud to my partner, who also laughed. When he was living in a grotty, male share-house ten years ago, he came home to find a piece of paper on the floor that said "Do not look under this piece of paper". Of course he looked, only to find a cat-poo. His flatmate had hoped that, if he ignored it, the problem would go away. MEGA GROSS!!

Stay well, ladies x

There is some VERY serious nesting going on in this house. Even DH is getting into it. We are chucking things out like there is no tomorrow. I just scoured our utility room. Utility rooms are supposed to be dirty aren't they?

Larty i have spent all day cleaning and repairing stuff too, including cleaning walls.... think i might be taking things a bit far! Not sure if its nesting or making the most of DH not being here to make it messy again within minute

Larty and petty
I now have gallons of daffodil White for DS's bedroom - guess what I will be doing with maternity leave next week?
I am even considering hiring a carpet cleaner to do downstairs. Seems a bit mad to do so BEFORE a homebirth but the carpet/rugs look so grubby it makes me sad.
Next on the list -the kitchen...
Got my results from mw on Friday HB is 11.7 hooray. Next app is 37 wks and I will be meeting the community midwife team.
Now to do some hb shopping.

Hey all,

Larty - we've been doing loads of chucking out too -it feels SO good!! Got rid of a few bin liners of stuff. Have my mum staying at the moment, she says it's nesting, and that I'm doing too much - she might be right, my back is throbbing now!

Those with toddlers already - anyone else suffering with the back issue? I really don't remember it being this bad with DS1. He is now 19 months old so quite a lump... There's no getting around having to pick him up, carry him around etc so I guess I just have to put up with this back from here on in!!

Oh and I reckon I have the most house-work-shy DH of all - he was so against sorting all our stuff out this morning that he went out for a RUN!!! He hasn't been for a run for over a year!!!

Hey all,
Hope you have all had a relaxing weekend. Tomorrow the countdown continues (7 weeks till Due date and 5 teaching weeks left). I have had a productive weekend. Ordered lots of things of the internet and spent lots of money that I don't really have . Not a lot left to buy now, few baby clothes and bedding for the crib and cot-bed. Wondering what bedding I need for the carry cot or if I need any? I read a suggestion of using a pillowcase as bottom sheet for a Moses basket on the pregnancy forum, guess this will work for a carry cot too. Had that Raspberry leaf tea yesterday and today and actually its quite nice, with 2 spoonfuls of sugar that is.

Nice to see the nesting instinct kicking in for some of you, I'm still not motivated but I am baking cookies. I love to bake and suspect I won't get much time after baby is born so making the most of it now.

Hoping for a relaxing week for the lot of us - mines a boring one, no pregnancy related plans what so ever. Next week though the fun starts :) xx

Petty - I cleaned the walls as well!

Geeklove - i'm desperate to have my carpets cleaned don't know if we'll get around to it or not.

Lozario - bin liners galore over here! we realised we had 7 duvets for two beds. what on earth! I over did it tho, my back is also throbbing - really suffering from that although I'm a first timer. Loving my hot water bottle at the moment.

I'm so looking forward to being able to move freely again!

Catherine - you could make extra cookie dough and freeze it so you can pop some in the oven when you want fresh cookies after the baby is born, but don;t have time to do all the prep.