Mad March in the PESH deli; in like a lion, out like a lamb?

[Medee]

BESH BAYBEES

dontrythisathome, girl born March 25.
Cheggers, twinz girlz, born April.
FannyPriceless, boy, born June 8.
CurlyCasper, girl, born June 24.
CUNextTuesday, boy, born June 29.
AlpinePony, boy, born 1 July.
Carrots, boy, born July.
IggyPiggy, girl, born July.
Cosmosis, boy, born Sept 5.
Backinthebox, boy, born Sept 7.
Skatergrrrl, girl, born Sept 10.
VAG, boy, born Oct 2.
Silversky, boy, born Nov 1
SomethingSuitablyWitty, girl born Nov 2
okiecokie, girl, born Nov 12
Honeymoo, boy, born Nov 11
ReginaMonologue, boy, born Nov 13
Maswera, boy, born Dec 24
PollyPoo, girl, born Jan 5
MrsFC, boy, born Jan 7
ChoChoSan, girl, born 6 Feb
Ginhag, boy born 11 Feb
Muser, girl, born 15 Feb
CluckyKate, boy, born 18 Feb
Perfect Dromedary, boy, born 23rd February

UPDIFFED

Medee, Gah! Top of the list! Was due March 12
Casserole, cracking open the sunroof on March 31
Scorpette, thinking of displaying her enorma-bump at freak shows, due 18th May.
Laurielou, the unmarried hussy with the "surprise" diff, due 31 May (ish)
Rocketleaf, sprouting out all over the place, due 1st June.
TwinkleToes, supergluing her fanjo shut, due 20 June.
Orchid, hoping for a zen like child, due 1st July
Ginfox, loving the new mega-boobs, due 12th July.
LadyGoneGaga, Has lost her waist, due 24 July
Ivegotmrbitey, appears to have eaten posh spice, due 27th July.
Milanomum, eating for 7, due Aug 6th
Owlbooty, suddenly weeble-shaped, due 7th August
Ocarina, there's a what in there?! due late August
Mountie, too shy to shine, due Autumn
Truffkin, growing a padawan, due 17th November

Indeed, Orcs , we'll have none of this turning up early shenanigans whilst Squidge is on hols. Top idea photocopying notes though, I shall do the same I think.

I have a 3-door Yaris, GG , which has the helpful ISOfix point thingies but a fairly dinky boot. Budgetwise as I am not paying for it, I am open to suggestions I intend to walk around quite a lot and some of it will be off-road. I will want to get it on buses, though, which may be more of an issue.

I am liking the sound of this tiny Bee contraption. Although having looked at it I have no fecking clue what all the attachments are meant to do or what a travel system is, I guess I'd better get researching.

Truffs let me hoover out your nose. That will help. Possibly. Provided I don't accidentally hoover out your brain as well. That hammocky thing would surely give the offspring a bendy back?

Owlie enjoy yourselves! You aren't per chance coming to my part of the world are you?
I want a holiday.

scorps if your dad is like my dad and just goes and sits down in the nearest chair while you get on with it, it'll be fine :)

gaga big gardens sound gorgeous. We have a teeny balcony here we won't move until baybee is here and we are all a bit more settled, especially because Thechild will be starting pre-school in Sept so don't want to add any more distruption around then.

Truffy that little hammock is just gorgeous. How long would it last though? If this one is anything like my 1st that would collapse after 4 months!

I've got an Inglesina Zippy travel system and it is the envy of my mates who bought big 3-wheelers because it goes EVERYwhere - in lifts (practically everywhere in Italy), in our teeny Panda boot, on the little pavements, in shops...etc etc. It also has one-hand closing which was the other main reason why I bought it and that came in so, so useful for those hoisting a baby on your hip moments.
To be honest, in retrospect a travel system wasn't really worth the money because the car seat only lasts until they are about 9 months and then you need to buy another one (when you could buy one which goes from birth to 36 months) and the carry cot only got used for about 4 months (but was very useful while we had it). I think something similar which can be used from birth to buggy would be more cost-friendly...but I still love mine! The only thing is that the buggy wasn't rear facing (think it is now though) but to be honest it was never an issue - thechild spent all the time looking out around her and would have been bored out of her mind looking at me all the time.

Owlie best thing is to go to John Lewis and let them demo them - would look at iCandy Cherry and Bugaboo Bee maybe? Think they sometimes let you put in and out of boot too? Avoid Mothercare as their staff are generally not that knowledgeable.

My stage 1 car seat lasted til miniG was about 18 months, Milano! You do it by weight, rather than by age and as he was positively sylph like (on 15th percentile) we kept him crammed in there as long as poss (they are safer travelling backwards as long as poss). But we hardly ever clipped it onto the buggy anyway.

Have PM'ed you, Truff.

That sounds like a good idea GG - I suspect that John Lewis will also have all manner of other luffly things I can stroke/coo over whilst we are in there. Does mean a trip to High Wycombe but given my pram-ignorance tis probably for the best.

So far I have to agree that Mothercare do seem a useless bunch of mouth-breathers which is unfortunate.

Milano sadly no, but am going over to Holland and will be there for Queen's Day which is apparently a bit of a riot, should be fun :) We too have considered moving but canont afford the absurdly expensive houses around these parts and so we are knocking down and rejigging bits of ours in an attempt to make it look less shite. At this rate this will be happening around the 35 week mark I reckon. It's traditional to do major renovations during 3rd trimester, right?

Wow-wee lots of plans being made here!

Score It sounds like you will be far happier in a house with control over your environment. You are not being PFB at all. I was bluelighted to hospital as a baby after my grand mother smoked while looking after me. My mother got home and found me with blue lips, I developed bronchiolitis and was really very unwell. No lasting ill effects apart from a morbid fear of cigarette smoke around babies so I have been very lucky really.

gaga it sounds good that you already have houses that you are fancying, looks very positve for when yours sells.

turff I wanted one of those hammocks! We got given a cot and a moses basket though so really can't justify the money. Now we just have to buy new mattresses. I really fell in love with that hammock though!

owlie I have a three door fiesta and both the silver cross surf and the icandy apple will fit in the boot OK. They are both good for off roading apparently.

Second twenty week scan tomorrow! Very excited!

PS Sorry if that sounds like a scare story - it seems my fear of smoke around babies is still very strong!

Naw, I've seen enough babies on oxygen to last me a lifetime; if anyone smokes around my PFB they will have the offending item inserted up one nostril.

Bites bloody hell woman, you have tried these things out? I am lagging behind.

Hopefully Biteybach will behave at 2nd scan - it cheers me to know it is not just my baybee that enjoys deliberately winding up sonographers.

I went on Saturday with my mum owlie, it was a lovely day of cluckery but my god it was tiring! The staff in mothercare were useless but it is a steep learning curve and I can now collapse, rearrange and critique any make or model of travel system, buggy, pram or whatever they are calling themselves!

Something else that just occured to me that seemed important in the shop is how uncomfortable some of the handle bars were. The quinny buzz was a major culprit for me, there just wasn't enough padding on there. My hands ached just doing a few wheelies in the shop so would have been unhappy on long walks.

I am hoping because I am calmer (there is definitely a baybee in there and all the things they could see were fine) then biteybach will be too. I am also hoping that all the hide and seek now means that he or she will have got it out of their system and be very mellow. Just have to wait and see but am glad that owlet is also a dancer!

Hello PESHes! Just popping in to be cheeky and say LadyGG I am quite close to you. Small world. Oh, and I also love gyoza. Did you know you can buy freezer packs from Chinese supermarkets? I lived on them when I was pg.

I'll head back to the spa now, and look forward to seeing a few more of you over that side soon!

Afternoon all! Update from me- good news and bad. Had my MW appt this morning, and accepted the sweep. My cervix is forward, softening and thinning (though with quite some way to go) and am 1cm dilated as she could insert the tip of her finger. Baby's head could be felt far down in my pelvis, and she could feel the membrane too, so all looking good. Bishop's Score of 9 (and can I find the bit in WTEWYE to get more info on that - can I hell.)

Bit dumped though as we talked through the various induction processes, the first of which is a hormone-impregnated tampon which is given 24 hours to work. However, was a bit to find that rather than go home for the 24 hours, I stay in hospital, so 10am Thursday, that's me off to hospital - I am allowed to walk around the grounds, but bearing in mind my house is closer than some of the hospital grounds to the labour ward this is a bit . If the tampon, or then the pessary get me going sufficiently then I can have a MLU delivery, but anything more and it's the full Labour Ward experience

Discussed refusal to be induced; while it's my choice, the big guns come out and I have a meeting with the consultant etc etc. Shall wait till they assess me on Thursday (assuming we get that far) before deciding what to do.

Aw meds try not to worry! Sounds like you are moving forward slowly but surely and hopefully things will kick off before Thursday. But if not I am sure it will still all be fine. Just keep your eyes on the prize (you will be snuffling your baby by the weekend!! SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!) I do understand how this would make you feel as I am wanting to be as intervention free as possible but am trying to keep an open mind in the all too likely eventuality that I end up in a similar situation. (sorry hideously constructed sentence there)

What happens if you refuse induction? Could you delay it a few days maybe? How spot on do you think your DD was? Harsh that you have to stay in hospital after the tampon, especially when you live so close by but I guess as induction can bring things on pretty suddenly it makes sense?

BTW I am putting money on this being a moot point and miniMed arriving Wed night just for dramatic effect.

Thanks Rocks. I know, I really am trying to keep my eye on the prize, but it's shaping up to be the opposite delivery to what I have been hoping for.

If I refuse; guilt-tripping, followed by daily monitoring.

I am too hoping for an Ironi-Lay to go with the Ironi-Diffing.

Aw Meds. How frustrating. I think you'll go before then though. Have a feeling in my waters. If they do the tampon thing can't you slyly nip home while strolling the grounds?

Was it Clucky who refused induction? and then seemed to have a fantatsic birth albeit a couple of weeks late - might be worth asking her.

Small world indeed - are you the same town or neighboring? We're on the North East side. I did NOT know you could get gyoza in the chinese supermarket. Going to have to pop to the Globe on the way home now!

medee Your Bishop's Score is EXCELLENT and the higher your score, the more likely it is that you will have a successful (and easy) induction! I should never have been induced, my body was not ready, not even sure I even got on the Bishop's Score scale & after "all of that" dilated only 1cm.

Sorry meds I hope things go your way but as sprocket says - eyes on the prize. I was wondering if the baybee has been determinedly staying put in order to be born in the spring? I asked Dr Google abut Bishop's score and got directed to the font of all knowledge that is wikipedia link here but it does say that "A score of 9 or more indicates that labour will most likely commence spontaneously" whcich looks good.

I am feeling very cheery in my office after the health and safety office came and fixed my chair and gave me one of these I love it very much

I read that as 'prostitute' instead of 'posturite'. Think I need eye test.

Meds that is a big heap of grrr but I also would put good money on MiniMeds* rocking up in the next couple of days, given what the MW has said already. Failing that you are indeed prime candidate for induction working and if you sneak home for a cuppa then there's bugger all they can do about it. I would guess it's something to do with their insurance rather than any practical reasoning. Fingers crossed for an Ironi-Lay :)

Of course you're on the north side! Actually we are in a village further south closer to the dramatic town. But I tend to do my shopping in your town. I'll PM you.

Fingers crossed for you meds. You are going to get the most amazing little bundle in your arms in just a few days. I'm grinning for you already.

thanks all. It is a good score, just hope it's good enough to mean going myself! MrM's bloke's guide to pregnancy told me more about the score than WTEWYE, or the NHS Book ("your midwife will talk you through induction" - gee thanks!)

It was Kate who avoided the induction, but she had a supportive midwife. As lovely as mine is, she's obviously in the camp of inducing rather than waiting, which is fine, but I just want to explore all options.

Just back from my third walk of the day. First to surgery, then twice to the park this afternoon.

Owlie a friend actually recommended this pushchair to me. She had a Bugaboo Cham with her first which she sold to get a double buggy and hasn't got on with. So she's bought this instead and reckons it is like the Cham only lighter and easier to push. Much, much cheaper too and suitable from birth. Could be one to look at?

Have you tried acupuncture or reflexology, Medee? Might just help kick things off?

Cossie was dead against intervention and induction, but she ended up having a positive experience, maybe give her a shout?

I have googled it locally - there is one practitioner talking about maternity reflexology so might contact her.

medee While I'm sorry you're being faffed about with nonsense about not being able to go home (don't they know where you live?!), I'm sure you will get either a)ironi-birth tomorrow or b) a wonderful experience no matter what and have mini-meds in your arms before long.

Owlie sorry, it was my bad typing-memory (or maybe I have a crush on you) because I meant to write the holiday comment to Orchid. Holland will be just lovely, I'm sure.

Bitey yey-hoo to 2nd scan! Good luck. I've got mine on Wed afternoon... I can't wait but am secretly terrified.

Best of luck, Meds. You're obviously a clever and informed person so just go with what you feel comfortable with. 9/10 eh?!!

PS Muse thanks for sharing your dream with me! I shall hold you personally responsible if it's not true within 3 months Actually, irrational as it may sound, I do kind of take heart from it, because I did dream Lozza's win last September and then it happened (which you have never thanked me for Loz ) And you are a red headed witch like me.

'Big heap of grrr' is exactly right to describe things, Medee. Is just not what you want to hear, is it? And like you say, if you refuse - which is your right - you'll just get hassle anyway. Arsebuckets. Is also silly to make you stay in when you live so close. I just hope for an ironi-lay or that the tampon thingy works its magic. I guess that's Teh Secks off the menu to get things going, too

I shall envelop you in my quite remarkable buzwams to give you a massive consolatory smooch. Whether you want me to or not

Am glad others feel like me about smoking - I bloody hate smoking and hate the thought of anyone smoking near The Lad (however, my Aunt smokes and my Mum is trying to give up, though not putting much effort in, harumph), but I don't have a prob with someone smoking in their own home EXCEPT when you're living in a no-smoking block, arrrgh. Mum never smokes indoors anywhere and I don't go to my Aunt's because, erm, well, she's not a fan of housework and has about 11 feral and semi-feral cats that don't always obey outside toilet rules. Luckily, as I don't drive and she lives in a remote part of Derbyshire, I can get away with never going round, phew.

Re: prams - as you know, we've been gifted the Pliko Pramette, but we were going to go for the iCandy Cherry. If we get fed up of the PP for any reason, that's what we'll get. GG, I am a shortarse and thought the Bee was v low and I think most people comment on that aspect. But everyone seems to love them (esp. the FESH Crew currently terrorising Laaandaaahn ).

Milano, I love the look of your pram - Italian stuff always stylish, huh?

The Lad hasn't been very active today - kept worrying, thinking 'would be ironic if anything bad happened whilst I'm buying all his gear', but he has been moving an adequate amount and YEP, there goes my rib; he's more active now. Good boy :) TYF has just commented that he clearly likes slumping about on the sofa like his mum