April 2011 - towards motherhood boucing on yoda balls, eating coc pops and riding frozen surfboards we are

[SnapFrakkleAndPop]

Raspberry leaf and all round.

Continuation from here. No Mofo C bombs yet been dropped in the delivery room although our first 2 babies have arrived. Congrats to gormers and Jo, we hope your little ones are still doing great.

thanks for the Rastamouse info everyone - looks like I've got a lot to learn!

And I'm also on the can't sit around, need things to do route at the moment.. spent the afternoon painting the inside of what will become my home office but is currently a shed! Feeling pretty knackered now but got to clean house as friend coming down tmrw & she's got a newborn so I've got no excuse not to have a tidy house. Gulp. Might have to just keep her in one room....

I can't nap, is rubbish! Silly baby, take those tiny toes out from under my ribs right now! Mummy is knackered!

Someone asked if I had any recommendations for baby stuff. Its not sao much a recommendation but I did buy one of these:
www.floppeze.com
a bit expensive (especially on the website, mine was cheaper from a local shop) but I really like it - I seem to be carrying it round like a toddler with a favourite toy :) as well as for feeding it can be used to help baby sit up. Baby might have to fight me for ownership eventually :o

Oooh I am SO looking forward to afternoon nap time on ML. Although to entertain myself on the bus this morning I started making a list of things to do whilst on ML. That list is LONG. I am going to have NO TIME TO NAP!

Arch your midwife sounds like an arse! Can't believe they're not suggesting scanning you...

wow new thread again :)

havent posted in a while as comp been broke. had my 36 week checkup today, have had some bloods taken for my liver as ive had really itchy feet, so she wanted to check up on that. babys engaged im really happy lol as my 1st didnt start engaging till 40+3 haha he was stubborn.

hope all you ladies are well :)

I'm doing my level best to try to remain confident things will turn out ok. Unfortunately I cannot afford to have a private midwife the whole time so it's a one-off appointment....if she returns with anything less than a "yes head down all is well" I'm going to really push for a presentation scan asap. I have spent this afternoon making icing leaves and flower petals for the birth cake. You know I really do value our group. Really.

Arch I think if your baby was head down at 28 and 34 weeks then it would be less likely to have flipped breach since then; not impossible, but unlikely so definitely push for a presentation scan. Your midwives don't sound hugely inspiring but at least you are knowledgeable about the options and can take charge. If it helps, a girlfriend had a midwife saying she'd "stake her career" on the fact that her baby was breach and yet when they scanned her (at the last minute before c-section) the baby was head-down. As it had been at every scan previously.

On an aside, what is a birth cake? I'm obsessed with cake at the moment and this sounds good.

Tiring day today. Schlepped into work and then came home via Peter Jones' kitchen department to collect some new saucepans and tupperware (I am 100% thrill at the moment!!). Staggered to the nearest taxi and have felt exhausted every since. It now takes absolutely naff all to exhaust me at the moment.

Am now deeply gloomy that I'm not getting increased discharge as everyone else seems to be. And that's not a sentence I thought I'd ever type...

Someone's going to pop soon. I don't think it's going to be me, but it's immiment. It's all very exciting.

Kits - don't be gloomy about your fanny secretions It is only one of many signs that you may or may not get. Chin up

Don't forget to put a picture of your cake on here when you've made it archi. I wish I could be arsed and (more importantly) had the talent to make one.

That cushion looks fab Chilli, it reminds me that I need to dig my cushion out and wash the cover. God, enough bloody washing now!

DS and I went to a 2nd birthday party this afternoon and the weather was so good we were able to have it in the garden. Am paying the price now for standing up for two hours though.

Trust me, no one would want the secretions. They're GROSS!

Am suddenly completely wiped out and have ordered yet another takeaway, am useless

DP is home late and filthy after a hard day so he suggested we order in. At least I've washed some more stuff I suppose. The teeny socks are my favourites, they're just so little!

Have just chugged some more pineapple juice. Mw suggested pineapple and I was sceptical but baby definitely boogies every time I drink the juice so who knows?

Gah, I just managed to fall over in the middle of the living room having crouched down to pick up something, wobbled and my legs just went from under me. I ended up stuck on the floor in agony, crying in pain but laughing that I couldn't stand up! DH thought I was doing my usual tears of frustration that I'd knocked over his Irn Bru until I eventually managed to say 'I'm stuck, help me up!'. Feel such and idiot now, and in a fair bit of pain , not helped by my bump being really painful and heavy, bleugh.

Arch I am and for you. I hope the private MW is more helpful.

Kits is it wrong that I actually find new pans and tupperware quite exciting? I love getting things like that home, washed and all neat in the cupboard! (Then I start nagging DH for stacking them wrong )

My mum is visiting for a couple of days from tomorrow, I can't wait (and neither can DH, I think he's quite looking forward to someone else putting up with my grumpy hippo-ness!)

Cycle I'm glad it's not just me being lax with the cooking on ML - it was an effort yesterday and I just didn't bother tonight, sent DH to the shop for pasta, sauce and garlic bread, though I did bake some choc chip cookies which I'd made the dough for this morning.

arch can you ask them for a presentation scan? it would be a very strange mw or consultant who flat out refused to let you have one when asked directly, especially while saying that baby could be breech - it's a big deal and I know I felt shit when they thought baby could be breech with not knowing what to expect. Also it took literally less than five minutes for them to check so it's really a far better use of their resources than leaving it and hoping for the best. Especially because if the baby is breech there are various things you can try to get it to turn.

I'm 3 days into ML and had such a lovely day today - the gorgeous weather helped. Went and saw DP's mum and 2 of his sisters for lunch and then had the most enjoyable nap in the conservatory.. felt very much like a cat all curled up in the sunshine so I feel having identified optimum nap location I'm making good use of my maternity leave. Also the birthing pool arrived today and DP has been invited back for a 2nd interview for a great job so all fingers and toes and everything else crossed for him. Timing would be a bit off him starting work with me 38 weeks pregnant but can't be helped it's a great opportunity.

So does hard bump mean braxton hicks? Mine is hard a lot of the time but it doesn't harden and then soften every few minutes like I imagine BH would be like, it just seems to get really hard when I'm moving around a lot or at the end of the day? Baby is really running out of space now, when he stretches its really uncomfortable!

Ouch at your fall Beetle, hope you're not to bruised.

Arch Good luck with the private midwife and getting the presentation scan.

I've also been enjoying the weather and dusted off DS sandpit. My Dad even came round with my mum this morning and put the new washing line up in the garden for me. His way of apologising for being a grumpy bastard yesterday, (you'd never get an actual verbal apology out of him).

I'm now 38+4 and had another scan today, which makes it my 8th. My BP is back to normal so PE is now ruled out. They're now concerned about the fluid around the baby, (apparently there isn't much) . I guess that explains why I don't feel as big as I did with my last PG. I have to go for monitoring on Friday and again on Monday morning and depending on the results they will decide on Monday if they want to induce me early.

If they do induce next week i'll be 39+ but from what i've gleaned inductions always seem to end up with more intervention. Having ended up with a F&V delivery last time i'd hoped to avoid all that this time round. .

At the moment baby is moving well, and CTG results have been normal so i'm keeping my fingers crosssed i'll be able to make it to D Day naturally.

But just in case I end up having a baby by this time next week can I ask if any of our 2nd+ timers have any experience of having an early induction?

Evening everyone :) I should really be asleep, but baby is having a big stretch so I am wide awake.

Beetle - ouch ouch, hope you are ok!

arch - agree with everyone else that it is bonkers that they aren't scanning you to confirm presentation.

Liv - glad you haven't got PE, :( about the fluid levels but my understanding is that the baby needs really very little to be absolutely fine. I can't help on the early induction, I was induced with DS but I was 12 days over.

lucie - that sounds like BHs. Really uncomfy!

Cycle - we have only eaten a proper meal here because my Mum was here to cook it. I'm not holding out much hope for tomorrow!

I am v.jealous of all the napping. I loved that about my ML with DS

Went to see the anaesthetist today ready for ELCS on Monday. All seems very real now - in 5 days time I will be in hospital with my newborn!
Have got midwife tomorrow afternoon, last appointment!
We are all ready here, washed a few final bits today, new fridge-freezer is coming tomorrow and then I can stock up a bit. Just need to wrap up the couple of bits we have bought for DS from the baby and then I'm done! Feel oddly in limbo now, just....waiting.

Morning - foolishly stayed up far too late with friends having a pizza night last night, and of course DS2 obliged with getting up extra early

Have a meeting at his pre-sch, must go to the sorting office for a parcel, then i'll be back to bed until lunchtime i think! :)

Slept badly too as the bed mats made me too hot & rustled, may have to give up on them for a bit or find different ones.

Goodness Ali you and petal are likely to be next :-) it's so exciting.

Dh has given me his cold. Rubbish nights sleep. Woke late. Only 4.5 more days in the office thankfully and my temp is doing well.

Quick post to beg for some energy vibes (if anyone has any going spare!) to get me through the next 4.5 hours. I'm teaching solidly (although I will be giving myself a 15 min break between lessons and in the middle of the 3 hour slog but I'm knackered already after 1 3 hour class even with a 45 min break. Can't do another!

Will catch up properly later - can't believe the amount of chatting that gets done on here!

Beetle Hope you're okay after your fall.

Snap hope you get through the next few hours. Might me time to factor in lots of loo trips to break up the slog. I think I need to learn to sleep standing up like a horse. Would be very handy on the tube.

Aussiemum looks like we're both slowly inching forward with the Epi-no. I've inflated it to 10cm and it terrified me. However, I did a last minute inflate at the end of my session last night and managed to get it up to 7cm. I think this may be my limit!

My daughters are driving me mad this morning. Am loafing around on Mumsnet trying to get dressed and they're droning on about rhyming.
"Mummeeee, does HAIR rhyme with NAIR?"
"Yes"
"Mummeeee, does SHOE rhyme with POO?" .

It's going to be a long day!

Morning all!

Am slightly less knackered this morning as DP slept on the sofa as he just didn't have the heart to keep poking me to stop my amazing snoring

I don't normally like sleeping alone but it was rather marvellous bring able to toss and turn with abandon rather than worry about waking him.

Ooh, might start washing reusable nappies today...

Bleurgh...TMI alert.....woke up at 5 and then threw up for two hours. Don't think it was pregnancy related, felt more like something I ate, but was terrified I'd poisoned the baby as well or would squash or terrify it with all the heaving... thankfully it's wriggling around as normal this morning as I tentatively eat some toast! So hoping I'm not sick during labour, it's the thing I dread most of all, even the pain - SUCH a woos at being sick.

On happier news, the first of my NCT group gave birth yesterday, a little boy, all well. So exciting, and really brought it home that REAL BABIES are beginning to arrive on the scene and soon.

Thank you all for your RLT and yoda ball tips, though might steer clear of both for now while the queasiness wears off.....

Another query though - does one bother washing new baby clothes, or just use them straight off the hanger? I thought the former but my hyper-cleanliness-conscious mother surprised me by suggesting not to....

Morning all,

Frak no energy vibes i'm afraid, but great sympathy for a full teaching day.
Daisy hope you're feeling better, although it has been mentioned that vomming can be a sign of impending labour! Keep us posted!

Well, I've come into town today to get some post-natal clothes (trackies & pj bottoms!). I'm amazed at how people are eyeing me with such horror, and deliberately staying as far away as possible! As if I'm about to explode babies all over the place!

To be fair, that's exactly what it feels like will happen!

As expected, i'm exhausted already and just settling down in a cafe to drink tea and wait for DH. Barista is being a love and carried my tea to the table for me!

Morning everyone. Despite yesterdays fall the only thing to be bruised seems to be my pride

I'm sending you all the energy vibes I can Frakk! (And having sent you my energy vibes I am now settled on the sofa with a and 6Music )

Daisy Hope you're feeling better and are keeping down the toast.

I've washed all our baby clothes, but then I often wash things before wearing them anyway as I think they feel much nicer. I just think you never know what chemicals are left on them from the dye (and the number of times I've worn new jeans and ended up with blue legs...) it makes me happier to know everything is clean. Also means they smell all lovely and it's amazingly cute to have them all drying on the radiators!

Petal I know what you mean about the shock/awe/horror on peoples faces. I met with the soon to be Oxford mums yesterday and I think the line of increasingly pregnant women that walked into the cafe scared a fair few people! (Obviously the fear on their faces was nothing to do with the very loud laughter and mentions of 'mucus plug' and other such delights!)

Beetle, this wasn't half three in Georgina's was it?!

Thanks for the words of encouragement re the fluid level ali , I'm hoping my ob is just covering all his bases with the extra checks and they're let me progress naturally. Good luck for Monday and well done for reminding me I also need to wrap up DS present from the baby to put in my hospital bag. I've got him a Kiddiezoom camera so he doesn't feel left out when everyone is taking pictures of the baby. On the positive side if I am induced at least i'll definately be home for his 3rd birthday on the 12th.

Daisy Get well soon, I also wash new baby clothes, especially the ones that come in plastic bags, but will admit I don't always do it for my own new clothes, they have the sniff test and only get washed if they smell a bit funny

Typical, I've just sat down with my and hot x bun and the delivery men have turned up with DS new bed. Even when i'm at home alone I end up with a cold

I'd off to unpack the bed and try to deceipher the assembly instructions, allegedly it has no screws or nails and all slots together - should be fun

I've just noticed we've managed 100 posts in less than 48 hours, you can definately tell we're on ML