Brewing a March baby!

[Carlitawantsababy]

Hello! I've just found out that I'm pregnant and due on the 23rd March! I'm 29 and live in London with my husband, dog and cat. So far at 4 weeks things are going very smoothly! I'm very excited about going to the doctor (even if they don't care) as feel it will make things more real!
If you're expecting in March too please join the thread and share a bit about yourself and how your pregnancy is going!

Just received the dates for my free NCT classes- they're not 'til February. Seems a bit late? Don't suppose I can grumble as I'm not paying for them...

Kiki, mine start in Feb too, because it's a sort of crammer's course with two full-day sessions! I have a feeling that there will only be so much of it I can take, but we shall see . . .

Are you going to attend the NHS ones as well?

WW- my hospital doesn't run it's own classes, so pays for several free NCT ones. I think it's 3 x three hour evening sessions + one extra on breathing techniques & things. They finish in late Feb. It's in a bit of an awkward place to get to- I applied for the ones at the hospital itself, but they must have been full- I've been allocated to ones at a community centre a bit out of the way. Wouldn't matter but I don't drive, so it's a bus or two away on freezing cold Feb evenings...

Oh what a shame - that sounds like a bit of a trek. Maybe it'll be a mild Feb [hopeful emoticon].

It feels almost as if it is going to snow here now. I am having people for so about to go downstairs and embark on making chickpea curry, dal and bhajis while wearing a pelvic girdle. Not sure how long I will be able to stand it for. I just walked around Tescos in it for half an hour and was ready to kill and maim people by the end of it. Mind you, that may be more to do with Tescos than the girdle . . .

Definitely due to Tesco's! I do my shopping online these days, cus supermarkets drive me up the wall!!

The cat let me have a lie in this morning! Woo! & yes apparently if you're BFing, your body produces hormones (not sure which ones) to help you get back to sleep - I read that somewhere.

ww and kiki recommendations vary wildly with raspberry leaf tea. There is a misconception that it 'brings on labour' which is where the 37 weeks idea comes from but it is actually a uterine toner. My mum drank it throughout both her pregnancies, first labour was 2.5 hours and second (me) 1.5 hours. I'm hoping it'll do the same trick for me! (DH will be working 45 mins away so should be fine kiki, your poor mum)! I did lots of research and there's tons of different advice so I plumped for a midway point in the advice of 25 weeks (though it is now 26 and still can't find where I've hidden the damn stuff!) I don't want to leave it too late as it won't have time to tone! General recommendations are 1 cup per day first trimester, 2 cups second and 3 cups third if starting at the beginning. I'm going to start with 2 cups (when I find it!)

We've had notice for our NCT classes too (not free though, you lucky ladies!!) First week doesn't start til Jan 24th, with last one on march 20th - six days before due date! Yikes! They were supposed to start on Jan 2 but there weren't enough people signed up to that so we've been registered on the one for a few weeks later, still at the same place though.

So raspberry leaf tea is supposed to help the....er.... Labour muscles? Should it help prevent tearing then? I'm doing my yoga and pelvic floor exercises every day but wondering if I should try some of this tea too! Might ask my midwife what she recommends at my next appt.

Anyone got any nice plans for this weekend? I've got a v sad one - my beloved horse is going to a new home tomorrow for two years I know it's the right decision as I need to concentrate on the baby and relaxing now while I can....but I am distraught just the same! DH is taking me for a meal at our fave restaurant tomorrow night to help me take my mind off it. He's a good un

I would love to say that I have nice plans for the weekend, but I am working two 12 hour shifts!!

So about this raspberry leaf tea.............when should we start it? And what are the benefits, toning of your uters muscles for a quicker labour?

My Birthing/Antenatal classes are at the hospital, I opted for the one day course (9.30-3.30) instead of doing them over 4 weeks, thought it would be more convenient and they also include a tour of the labour and delivery suites.

Just one last thing regarding SPD. Who diagnosed you, and what treatment are you having (if any)? I think I have it, so I went to my GP yesterday and he was completely useless. Told me I need to see my midwife for a referral to a physio, which could take three months, and she isn't answering my calls.

You need to make your own decision on the tea moffit as advice is so conflicting. See this article www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/raspberryteaeaselabourexpert/ which suggests 32 weeks, this one, for example
www.yogabirth.org/raspberry-leaf-tea.php suggests using it throughout the pregnancy. I just went for 25 (26) weeks as a sort of mid way point in the advice!!
With the PGP (used to be called SPD) for lots of great info see www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/ my physio confirmed my self diagnosis. Call the hospital and see if you can self refer to a physio as you need to be seen as soon as possible really. My midwife was totally useless, I had to beg for the referral, she told me she'd done it but hadn't so I waited weeks for nothing, eventually the midwives in the hospital did it for me. My hospital does acupuncture on the NHS, tho has been fab, they took a self referral from me by phone and I had an appointment within the week. Aqua natal is great, would strongly recommend. Pelvic brace is very helpful but it was good to get this through the physio as I was able to try several types. Mine is made by embrace. I have to wear it when I walk over my hips (on top of clothes as quite low down) so had to buy lots of long tops. Not attractive but helpful. I also wear a tubigrip (from physio) on the bump to help reduce any strain. Birthing/yoga balls are great too, try to get the right height, mine is 65cm and I'm 5'3. Gently bouncing on it helps strengthen pelvic floor and rotating hips in big circles and rolling back and forth really helps PGP pain. Other than that you really need to try to walk as little as possible and avoid stairs as much as possible. When you have to do stairs climb them strongest leg first one at a time (like a child) and descend with weakest leg first. Good luck with the referrals, you have my sympathy.

Thanks Carlita, I will try to get in contact with the midwife on Monday and if she is still no good, I will try the self-referral route! I've asked for a birthing ball for xmas, so not too long to wait for that. And I have been given a bump support from my sisters old maternity range, so I can use that in the mean time.

so DH has finally felt bump move, seen my tummy move and heard the bump's heartbeat!! Yay!!

Yay broody! How did he hear the heartbeat? We have a stethoscope and still can't hear him!

Grrr. Local NCT just cancelled our paid for antenatal classes 3 weeks before due to start because of insufficient numbers. Am irrationally gutted as am new to the area so don't know a soul and any other local courses are booked up now. Feel stranded and DP unhappy too as we're both a bit drrrrrr about the whole thing. Only alternative is a course a little further away which is due to finish immediately before baby due; problem being I have spd and don't expect to be very mobile at all by that point. Arse Liverpool NCT.

Otherwise very well and chipper. How interesting xmas is sober. xxx

Oh peapod that is annoying. What about daisy birthing classes, do they do them near you? Might be worth putting a note on the wider pregnancy board to see if anyone has got any better alternatives.

I'm also in an irrational grump today. Nothing seems to be going right today - we've got 8 for Xmas dinner & traipsed all the way over to ikea to discover that they no longer stock the chairs we have as we were hoping to buy extra chairs to accommodate 8. so emergency chairs it is now. Also wanted to shuffle the furniture round the living room for a better layout, so DH and I spent an hour shuffling furniture to discover that no alternative layout works. Gah!
The house is a mess & I've got so much to do before Xmas...feel like I'm having a mini meltdown. Already!!!

carlita he heard it just through putting his ear right where baby was lying and us both being mega still and quiet It was just so lovely that it happened this weekend, as I'd been through a personally traumatic few days saying cheerio to my horse But anyway, I can now concentrate on baby brewing skills and spending spending spending on our little one!

Bad news about the NCT classes - I must admit, I'm a bit conscious that they're going to do the same to us as they've already changed us from one course starting Jan 2 to Jan 26 because of lack of numbers. I just wonder how many more people will go a few weeks later?! We'll see....

peapop so sorry to hear about your NCT classes being cancelled, I would be so is there any kind of specialist technique you are interested in that you could do a course in instead?
knitterati on the Christmas hosting, sounds ambitious! I'm sure everyone will chip in and help you on the day though?
Broody well done to your DP for hearing the heartbeat like that! My book says it's possible but as I said we didn't even manage it with a stethoscope!
Anyone else getting pain in their bump? I have this horrible pain above my (still innie) belly button to the right which feels a little like when you wiggle your finger in your Belly button, painful and a bit yukky. The area that hurts is digestive biscuit sized. I think it must be my stomach muscles splitting (nice). Going to go for a lie down and a nap now as it's the only way to get rid of it! Hope you're all having nice days.

carlita I've not had a pain there but I do find I sometimes get a stitch like/indigestion feeling in my left hand side. It's almost like ive stretched my muscles and then they won't go back in properly, if that makes any sense at all?!?! I've only had it a few times in the last few weeks and I'm sure it's just things growing as you say but it's something I'll be telling my MW about next Friday if I get it again.

I've pretty much given up doing any work now - I'm spending most of my time on websites looking at various baby things. Got myself a lovely mamas and papas Moses basket and stand today from preloved - only been used for a few hours as the seller's daughter didn't like it so in near perfect condition. Can't wait to see it in action - only 13 weeks and 5 days to go

Ooh while I'm on.... I met up with one of my best friends last week and she told me one of our mutual friend's wives gave birth last Sunday..... 14 WEEKS EARLY!!! Mum and baby are doing ok, both receiving major care as you can imagine. Funnily enough my Emmas Diary email this week said if our babies are born now (with 14 weeks to go) they have an 85% chance of surviving so fingers crossed their little girl grows stronger by the minute....

Goodness, Broody- that is early. Fingers crossed we all keep going a lot longer! Although my little one is really active and a seemingly healthy creature I'd be terrified about it being out in the real world quite yet. I keep meaning to say how sorry I am about your horse, btw- that must have been a real wrench. Are you still able to visit? If I had to give up my cat for two years I'd be devastated.

I've been given a travel cot & play mat & some toys from the woman I bought my house from four years ago, which I thought was really kind. Went to the Oxford St John Lewis yesterday to get an idea of the travel systems etc- I still find them the hardest thing to choose. There were a couple narrow & lightweight enough for my house, but £400 & £500 new, so I'm going to wait for the sales & scan eBay/ local free ads etc. If my friend keeps her Christmas job there I could get 25% off in the New Year, so fingers crossed! I have another friend who works for Mothercare who says they will have a huge sale this year starting on Boxing Day... If anyone else is in London the big Topshop has a sale in their Maternity section at the mo. I also bought a new bra- I keep washing & re-wearing the same two I bought a couple of months ago & they just look like old dishcloths now, so I treated myself to a much nicer one!

Also saw the MW yesterday- am measuring right on target which I was delighted to hear, and the heartbeat was good & strong (the loudest of the morning!) I think I've had another growth spurt- the bump seems a lot bigger this week. Also have been having the most disgusting acid indigestion- I've never had it in my life, tastes like you're swallowing oven cleaner! Have been prescribed a vat of Gaviscon which seems to be helping.

So, is everyone ready for Christmas? Can't remember who it was having the chairs dilemma, but I wanted to reassure you that there aren't more than two chairs that match in my house! The same goes for cutlery/ plates etc. I'm sure your guests really won't even notice. X

That's a shame about your NCT classes Peapod, are you doing any NHS classes? The ones that were offered by my local hospital seem quite informative and you will still be able to meet mums at a similar stage? Ask your midwife for advice, thats what they are there for!

I can't believe that your friends baby is 14 weeks early broody they must be so worried, but I'm sure they are in good hands, its amazing what they can do in these special care baby units!

And just an update on the suspected SPD, the midwife called back on Monday and has done me a referral to a specialist maternity physio, said I should have an appointment date in the next two weeks.

Today is my last day at work, until the 4th January, and I'm off to see the midwife today, so only a half day at that! ............Horray for the Chritsmas Holiday, I can't wait to have a rest.

Hello ladies! Sorry haven't posted for ages. I have some serious catching up to do. How is everyone? I'm feeling it big time now. My sickness has seemed to return this week and I now have a bit of spd as well. Plus a small child trying to kick its way out of my stomach! How is everyone else? broody I have a horse too. Luckily i'll just about manage to keep him but on doubt it'll be tough when baby is here. Glad it'll be spring tho which will make things a bit easier. How is everyone else?x

Thanks Kiki yes I will still be going to see him as I didn't sell, just loaned him out for a couple of years. The girl who's looking after him for me is lovely, as is her family, so I've no doubt he'll be well cared for...it's just such a lifestyle shift and heartache not seeing him every day. Noticed the difference in me and baby though already (was going to the yard at 6am, then a 1hr+ drive to work, relatively stressful job, 1hr+ drive home, all horsey jobs, home at 730ish so v busy - now I'm home for 530 latest, still full of life and a wriggly baby!)

Lucky you fee being able to juggle it all!

Hi all! Is everyone feeling suitably festive? it's a little warm for Christmas I think! So, according to the majority of resources I'm now in the 3rd trimester! Wow, time has flown. A friend of mine had her baby yesterday, 8 weeks early, it's terrifying how close it could be!

carlita yes I'm getting festive now but it is defo silly warm for chrimbo!! How your friend and baby doing? Did you see my post about my friend having hers 14 weeks early?! Can't believe it - as you say, it's frightening as to how close it could be!

I know! I was adding it to your post really broody, it's very scary! She's only updated us once that she had an emergency c section, baby is in special care but seems okay. I'm so not prepared for that!