July 2011 we're entering the second half!

[confuddledDOTcom]

F1rstT1meMummy 25/6/11
Ickle: EDD 29/6 pg#1 age 31
Pesha: EDD 30/6 pg#4, age 32, (dd 10yrs, ds1 7yrs, ds2 3yrs)
Blueberryjam EDD 1/7 PG#5 AGE 27 ( 7,6,4 & 8 months)
Loueytbg EDD 1/7 PG#3 Age 37 (DS1&2 3.6, 1 mc)
Tebbles EDD 1/7 PG#1 Age 29 (No DC yet)
Orchid: EDD 1/7 pg#2 age 31 (DS 2)
WolfcubEm83: EDD 1/7 pg#1 age 27
Phlebas: EDD 2/7 PG#10, age 35 (dd1 10yrs, ds 4yrs, dd2 18mo)
Riddzy: EDD 3/7 PG1, Age 31
MadAboutTheBoys 3/7 PG#3 Age 34 (DS1 3yrs; DS2 17 months)
Emmylou30: EDD4/7 pg#1 age 30
Mitchell81: EDD 4/7 pg#4 age 29(dd 10 yrs,ds1 4yrs, ds2 2yrs)
Eglu: EDD 5/7 pg#3, age 33 (DS 7 & 3) - Girl
Twit: EDD 5/7 pg#6 age 35 (3 ds's 12,9,3 one dd 4)
Countrybunkin: EDD 6/7 pg#14 age 26
Miss Lolita: EDD7/7 pg#1 age 31 - girl
ScarIettOHara: EDD 8/7 pg#1 age 34
Oceanfox: EDD 08/07 pg1 age 37
Smiler80: EDD 08/07 pg#1 age 30
Fiatlux: EDD 08/07 pg#1 age 36
MeesaMum: EDD 9/7 pg#1 age 30
wolfhound, EDD 9 July pg#3 age 40 (DS1 is 3 and DS2 is 16 mths)
Mrsfarge: EDD 9/7, pg#4, age 34 (ds 9, dd 3, ds 2)
Scarthy: EDD 10/7 pg#2 age 35 (DS 3yrs)
SpannerPants: EDD 10/7 age 27 pg#1 - boy
emilyplus1: EDD 10/7 pg#2 age 25 (DD 17 months)
confuddledDOTcom: EDD 11/7/11 girl (expected to last until May, ELCS will be mid-June if I last that long and they get their own way) age 30 (3 girls: 1 angel and two amazing girls age 4 and 2)
Sweetiexxx: EDD 11/7 pg#2 age 32 (DD 17 months)
Highheelsandequations EDD 11/7 pg#2 age 30 (no DC yet)
Rarewelshbit: EDD 11/7 age 33 (no DC yet)
Scrivette: EDD 12/7 pg1, age 30 (no DC yet)
canny77 12/7/11
NNABAIW: EDD 13/7 pg#2 age 33 (DD 15 months)
Stottiecake: EDD 13/7 pg2, age 37 (ds 2)
StormBird: EDD 13/7 pg2, age 28 (no DC yet)
Squirrel007 EDD 13/7 PG#1 Age 29 (No DC yet)
BeatrixRotter: EDD 14/7 pg#2 age 34 (DD 2)
kalp12 14/7/11
Sues1974: EDD 15/7 pg#2 age 36 (DS 21 months)
filey1: EDD 16/7 pg#1 age 28 (no DC yet)
pennyly: EDD 16/7 pg#1 age 32 (no DC yet)
JazzS: EDD 16/7 pg#1 age 29 (no DC yet)
Nicolamumof3: EDD 17/7 pg4 age 33 (DS's aged 11.6, 4.11 and 3.3)
youpie: EDD 17/7 pg#2 age 34 (ds 16 months)
Nitnatnaboo: EDD 17/7 pg#2 age 38 (ds 5 yrs)
Highfibrediet EDD 17/7 pg#4 age 38 (ds1 8y, ds2 6y, ds3 2 1/2y)
Fraochsmum: EDD 17/7 pg2 age 33 (dd 11 months)
Hefner: EDD 17/7 pg#1 age 28
a11J: EDD 18/7 p#1 age 21
Stangirl: EDD 19/7 pg2 age 41 (DD 9 months)
Fab123: EDD 19/7 pg#1 age 29
Zanzicat: EDD 20/7 pg#1 age 30
Pregnant inParis: EDD 20/7 pg#1 age 30
isitreallythattime: EDD 20/07 pg#2 age 32
Dynababy: EDD 21/7 pg#1 age 34
FessaEst: EDD 21/7 pg#3 age 30 (mc & DD 13 months)
cara2244: EDD 21/7 pg#2 age 31 (DS 2 years)
FallingandLaughing: EDD 22/7 pg#1 age 33
Geordiemam4: EDD 23/7 pg#4 age 31 (DD age 13, DS age 11, DS age 8)
Brassicababe: EDD23/7 pg#1 age 37
Brightsideoflife: EDD23/7 pg#3 age 33 (DD 19 months)
PixieOnaLeaf EDD 23/7 pg#6 Age 44 (DD1 16, DD2 12, DS 9, DTD1 8 months, DTD2 8 months)
GruffaloMama EDD 23/7 pg2 age 35 (DS 2.1)
Inbetweener EDD 24/7 pg3 age 36 ( DD 8 DD 6 )
LadyGoneGaga: EDD 24/7 pg#3 age 32 (DS age 2.5, mc)
honeybabymoon EDD 24or 25/7 age 30 (no DCs)
Emmywoo: EDD 26/7. pg## age 33 dd 4 and mc
Chocoflakes: EDD 27/7 pg#3 age 37 (dd15,ds13)
Ivegotmrbitey: EDD27/7 pg#1 age 31
SelenaDoula 27/7/11
Sugargirl1: EDD 28/7 pg#2 age 32 (DD 13months)
Badgerwife: EDD 22/7 pg#1 age 30
Buttonmoon78: EDD 29/7 pg#5 age 32 (DCs 13, 10 & 3)
ddas: EDD 31/7 pg#1 age 26
sunshiney78: EDD 31/7 pg 1 age 31
ZuluWarrior: EDD ?/7 pg#3 age 32 (DS 20 months)
JimmyChoo17: EDD 16/07 P#1 Age 29

I have been taking the paracetamol regularly and yes, it does help, even though I don't like doing it.
See I thought dangleberries were the balls of shite on a sheeps bum. Anyhoo good luck with that Fab
highfibrediet any luck with the MW yet? I hope you mange to get things sorted soon.
nicola I wonder if you're not doing too much? I find I can do up to a point before it makes me worse again, and it's a fine line between just right and helpful and too much/little. For example I do not iron anymore, the kids and DH have to do alot (picking up, hoovering etc) and I rely on DS2 to chase after DS3 on the school run so I can amble along slowly. I hate how restricted I am and I hate having to get the kids in particular to constantly help me. DS3 likes to be naughty and run from me etc because he knows I can't grab him or chase him, so getting dressed etc is a nightmare.
confuddled it's great to see you again, I think we all worry if we haven't heard from you (no pressure ) and we are all hoping you stay with us that bit longer. It's reassuring to note that we shouldn't find 'normal' birth an issue with PGP etc as I'm hoping for a home birth and am Concerned.

I measured big again, so am wondering whether I might get a growth scan? I guess they'd wait and see next time (2 weeks) before deciding. What if BabyTwit is measuring big, does anyone know? I haven't had this issue before, although It might all be nothing as I have said all along I am mahoosive and it might Just Be Me.
I had stronger regular BH at the weekend (I'm knacKered in the afternoon as well) and I can feel the head is low now. I also started leaking (boobs) a little. If I get my 'practise run' I'll know I've got 1-2 weeks before BabyTwit makes an appearance so I'll hopefully get a warning. I tell BabyTwit very sternly everyday that he has to wait until I've had my hair done. At least. (although getting me out of going to the carnival would be thoughtful) I'd be about 38 weeks then.....

Hi to everyone here, I hope you're all ok.

Have started a food diary today in an attempt to help with the heartburn! I read a few bits of advice online and it seems different things work for different people.
LO is at nursery today....horrible....he cried loads and said he didn't want to go :( I am getting work done that I can no longer do in the evenings due to being knackered, but am very unproductive surprise surprise!

Twit I was measuring large last time - midwife said 10lb baby - he was born at 39 weeks and was 6.10.

cara what is this breathing the baby out, it sounds like somehting I do with trying.

Ow ow ow! Just been to Next to return a skirt, popped into Tesco and got a trolley shoved into my toe. My whole toenail on my L little toe has ripped off. Thought I was going to pass out with the pain! I certainly got a few looks as I wailed like a banshee

Worst of all is that my toes are the only thing you can rely on to be 'groomed' and now I'm utterly unbalanced as I can't paint a nail that's not there. Boo hoo.

DS off school today after yesterday's vomming marathon but (of course) he's absolutely fine. In fact, after sleeping so much yesterday pm he's boucing off the walls. I don't mind at all keeping them off cos of a d&v rule - it's common sense - but why oh why do they have to be so flipping 'well'?! At least he could be languishing on the sofa a bit!

Cara I seem to be better if I eat early (ie 6.30ish) and steer clear of anything after that. Means I'm getting peckish by bedtime and by morning I could eat a scabby horse but I don't get so bothered by the reflux. And I take a spoonful of peptac before bed and drink another a small glass of milk (and take some to bed too).

Oh god button that sounds hellish! Pretty sure I would wail like a banshee too!
I got my first night of unbroken sleep last night for the first time in weeks, what a difference it makes! If I could wake up, go to the toilet then back to sleep it would be great, but life's not like that :( I have had no heartburn, but the reflux is a pain. I take a glass of milk before be and the Gaviscon works wonders, but if I take some water when I wake up I just feel it slosh about in my throat. At least its not burning tho
Glad you're still hanging on confuddled
That made me giggle twit because I remember being a child when my dad broke a couple of ribs at rugby - I was delighted that he couldn't even shout at me let alone give me a smack for being bad
My bellybutton is now at the same level as the surrounding belly, and I cant remember it 'popping' in pg1. I have a really bad 'thing' about my navel and can't stand it being touched so the thought of 'pushing it in' makes me heave! I saw the consultant in pg1 and he seemed totally preoccupied with a varicose vein that had appeared on my navel and kept poking it - I was squealing like a pig!! In fact I made more noise with him doing that than actually giving birth, it seriously was worse!
No linea negra again. Yet.
I had a mw app last week and monkey was breech, but she wasn't worried at all and just said to try and encourage him/her to turn. S/he is still doing summersaults tho and flipped round twice later that day - ending up back upside down right enough.
Hope everyone is ok and are managing pain better - also agree with not being fobbed off because more people are getting PGP!

My belly button has also gone flat. DH announced last night that it's like the plateau on the top of a mountain!

Have just discovered a message from the physio on the answerphone telling me that if I didn't contact them by last Friday I'd be discharged. Am v as it must've been dh - the dcs have no idea how to use the machine! Of course, I've tried ringing them and there's no answer. V frustrating!

Started knitting a cardi for the baby this morning as dh left for work at 5.00 and I couldn't get back to sleep. It's a lovely hooded cardi that I make for all babies I know are being born as it's a perfect car jacket - not too hot and thick. Have chosen a lovely natural coloured cotton/kapok mix. Though dh (with his already implied tact) said (as I'd given him the choice) 'oh that's a nice colour, get that one - it's just like old string'. again!

Got MW appt tomorrow, first time position will be recorded. Think I'm due some bloods too. Still breech here.

I had a bit of a meltdown on Friday with a friend over sections again (I'm like a stuck record, I know). I didn't know her when she had her ds (nearly 12 years ago) but she had a section on the Friday and was playing tennis on the Monday 10 days later . She maintains that a lot of it is PMA and how fit you are previously (ha jolly ha) as well as having an ELCS rather than EMCS. Ho hum. Perhaps it won't be necessary...

buttonmoon - sorry, I'm only an occasional reader/poster on this thread but what is your issue with sections? Have you been told you will need an ELCS and had a bad experience previously with an EMCS? If so, can I set your mind at ease? I had an ELCS 15months ago and it was a breeze. Was pushing a pram up a steep hill within 4 days and had no pain at all. No infection, easiest recovery imaginable. I am old and unfit too - in my 40s and never exercise (well not before that pregnancy, also overweight). My Mum kept telling me off because I was "doing too much" and she was completely wrong - everything was fine. I'm having another ELCS this time too because it was so fab last time - fingers crossed it'll be the same.

Evening all.

Confuddled glad you are still going strong and had a nice holiday.
Button that sounds horribly painful. Awful anyway, but pregnant everything is worse.

My belly button is almost flat now. Has never popped before so hopefully won't this time. My mw came to see me on Thursday and all paperwork for hb is now filled in. I'm slightly worried as the mw team has changed so they now rely on mw's from other areas to cover hb's. This is concerning to me as I am worried about how quickly this baby will come anyway. She did say that they will have on my notes to call both on call mw's as soon as I call labour ward as they know I will be quick, but I still worry that either myself or DH will end up delivering DC3.

I'm also worrying about my GTT on Thursday, hopefully it will be fine, but there is always a chance it won't.

And just to make me more miserable I almost fainted today, whilst sitting down at home. I would understand if I had been doing something, but not while idling away.

And the last thing, DS2 has taken to having lots of peeing his pants accidents. He has been tt for about 9 months and today he had 3 accidents. THe first one this morning he didn't even try to get to the bathroom so it was all over the carpet. I don't have the energy to clean up after him all the time. :)

Stangirl I'm not really sure what it is! I know from 3 vaginal deliveries that I'm up and about really quickly whereas the section would be all so new!

I was advised last time to have a section as ds was breech. I didn't, I opted to have ecv but not sure I've got the guts for it again.

I think I'm just being a wuss.

Cara to save you the bother, shepherd's pie with spring greens is a big no no.

Am in pain! Peptac here I come.

Eglu I have exactly the same worries. My last HB the MW arrived as DS3's head appeared. She had come from another local team and despite me saying on the phone over and over that I am quick and that it was my 4th she still reassured me she would be here in time and carried on having her lunch.
Next time I will as politely and as early as possible let them know that they need to get to me ASAP - if they want to eat lunch at my house while they wait fine. (have read up about breathing the baby out and it seems I do that naturally).
I have also noted that lying on my side might be best for birth what with PGP and wanting to slow down the pushing bit. I wonder if confuddled or indeed anyone might have any ideas on that?

But on the off-chance i am going to get DH to read up on delivering the baby.

Twit the mws last time kept trying to get me on my side but I just couldn't move at all.

Lying on your left is meant to be best with spd/pgp.

Twit Hopefully it will be written on my notes in big red pen . I may end up breathing this one out as if there is no mw there I will not be actively pushing.

....erm....just saw another thread about stomach muscles parting not being right....I thought the are supposed to during pregnancy???? Are they or should I be worried about the tent effect I can make with belly if tensing or when getting up?

I find if I lie on my left I get a pain in my right hip akin to a nerve being trapped. Very ouch!
The idea (now at least) of lying on (whatever side I can get on) is appealing,, although like I said I'd be interested in other positions, what do you find the best button
Eglu I had it written on my notes and told every single MW I met or spoke to. The ones you need to convince are the ones at the labour ward and the ones who phone you to say they are the ones coming. IYSWIM? In fact I might ge DH to phone and speak to them as at that stage he might get the point across better than me.

Ooooh Button you poor thing! It curled my toes to read that :( My friend had similar on her index finger (not through trolly rage needless to say) but she decided she couldn't deal with looking at it or typing and so opted to stick a fake nail on in it's place when the skin was strong enough. I hope she used non-toxic glue but regardless, she was a lot happier with it covered than open Might be an idea of you can bear it [wince emoticon]

I had my antenatal on Sunday and it was really interesting. She explained how lying in bed on your back is literally the worst thing to do when trying to push out a baby - squatting, all fours etc gives you 30% extra space in the pelvis for baby to pass through. I'm sure you mum's already know that but I hadn't realised it was quite that much. I'm definitely hoping for all fours/gripping onto the side of the water birthing tub :) Nicola she did say lying on the left helps baby get into position and the pelvis and "tail" area would still be OK to open I imagine on the side, but the pressure on the perineum side nearest the bed might be heavier and risk a split maybe? She was explaining squatting was good because it's a balance all around the ring area (!) and not stretching one side more than the other....hope that helps.

Sorry left hand side bit was for twit
Jimmy mine does the tent thing too...hope it's OK!?!

They shouldn't look like a rugby ball no. That is what I have and after the birth of DS2 I got physio and a tubi grip (in my case) and special exercises to bring the muscles back together before you can attempt normal ones. However I hvae also read that you should never do sit ups/crunches as that can make them split more. Be careful how you get up from lying down. (even after the LO is born)

twit....so should I raise this with gp/mw? It tents up the middle if tensed...vertically I mean not across..

fab I hadn't given it a second thought until seeing that post, damn you Internet!!!!

It's scary reading all about the birth comments...doesn't it seem like yesterday we were still worrying about 12 week scans and wondering what to call the 2nd trimester thread? Massively in denial here. Not doing nct now as too much £££ and they moved course too far away.....but looking for a good book and DVD for hubby (any recommendations? Thinking the haynes ones??) and meeting up with local free nct group! Mind u this first meet is home birth only.....

Yes Jimmy I agree - I thought this was just tummy muscles working . I did the gentle birth one day course but they only do them in Kent and Bedfordshire I see. There was an online vid I was sent via Bounty that I posted a while back but I think being part of a group is really helpful as you can ask Q's and hear other people's Q's you may not have thought of...have you heard if you are doing the NHS one? My name was put on a list a while ago but i've heard nothing since so didn't want to risk going in blind, so to speak!

Button thanks for th milk tip, had some at 8 and feeling good! However I daren't lie in bed just yet so am sitting here feeling v tired! Hope the toe is better.

Fab I am a squatter lol! It just came naturally in labour and definitely made pushing easier....hmmm, make that possible.

Jimmychoo I was massively in denial first time - I remember ringing a friend when I was in 2nd trimester and saying what's labour and what are these stages I keep hearing about. I think its worse this time as I have an idea in my head now about how I want the labour to be, ie like it was last time. I read a lovely book called Birth without Violence.

Fraocsh I hate having my belly button touched too! Hasn't quite popped yet.

Twit, the breathing the baby out thing sounded pretty cool when my friend told me....she didn't push, the contractions did the work! I'd just be happy not to spend one hour trying to push a watermelon out of a baked bean tin. Or that's how it felt anyway :)

Right, off for a small glass of milk, a large swig of Gaviscon and a faint possibility of some sleep.

Got the nhs sessions booked (two 2 hour sessions) but everyone said they are awful!!!!

I'm in Bedfordshire :)

I signed up to my local nct group on facebook and they do regular meet ups on different topics. A midwife, group of experienced mums and amateurs like me are invited. Am going to go to those for info and social side saves a few pennies too. Found some good baby groups for once baby has arrived too so am feeling better about the social side but the info side I'm working on setting up now. Local nct volunteer has been great.

Hubby did say he thought his only involvement was driving and holding hand.....now I hate hospitals and am considering home birth (I live 2 mins away from hospital) so he is in for a shock

Ps I think I would like to be a squatter but my knees seem to have given up on me under my weight :( doing some gentle exercises and ball work outs to see if will help. Aqua natal starts next week too.

Oh, well then you might like to see the link - I think it was £50 or £60 but it was 9-5 and well worth it IMO
www.gentlebirth.org.uk/

I'm going for a water birth as I doubt i'd be able to squat un-aided for hours and am hoping the water will support as well as relax me :) How much weight have you gained so far? I'm just over 2st heavier than I was. Certainly hard work lugging myself up the hill to home now!

I weighed myself a couple of weeks ago and had put about stone and a half...daren't go near scales again! I don't know how fat men carry around those beer bellies all the time...the weight on legs and back is horrid! Starting to struggle on dog walks now. Trying to be good with eating's I hear this is the time you really pile it on if not careful.

Was trying to add a bump picture to our facebook group today but it wouldn't work for some reason. Left out my thighs tho...gosh they are not nice...

Thanks for link!