Due Jan 06 - Looks like we've eaten loads of Christmas puddings!

[sweetkitty]

Right here's our new thread.

So who's going to be first for an early Christmas present then?

Glad all ok HM (particularly that you're not growing a big un!!) Just a thought, but could it be that your diet restrictions are limiting the body fat being put down by the baby? Have you put on any weight(or lost any)? I only ask as I've only put on a stone, and none of it is on me, & my baby was bang on for dates at the last scan (got another tomorrow) but I got the impression they were expecting him to be bigger.

Rachey - don't think we're going to beat you there hon!!! (and I thought I was big!!- get the camera out & post a piccie ! lol)
Good tips for the gas & air too (am going to copy & print that) I hadn't a clue how you were supposed to use it last time so I probably didn't get the full benefit. Thanks for that.

SK - I've been bursting & then only weeing teaspoonsful too (sooo frustrating isn't it) This one's still head down but I think he keeps bobbing down to engage as half the time it's like I've got a cricket ball shoved up me bits ( I do a damn good John Wayne now! !!)

Went for a hypnobirthing session today (look into my eyes, not around the eyes, into the eyes......)} My therapist is a MW and I really wish she was mine (wrong hosp). She has a client at the mo for whom she is doing hypno, reflexology and she's her MW (am sooo jealous!!)The session was great though (and so much the better as it was closely followed by some reflexology...ahhhhhh bliss). Think DH is a bit worried it's not going to work (or more accurately that he won't be able to make it work!!) We have to practise twice a day from now on and she implanted a date for delivery too just to see if it would work (can't wait!!!!)
How's yours going Loomer?

The hypnobirthing sounds fascinating!

I've just weighed myself and I've LOST half a stone in the last fortnight - I weighed myself after the last growth scan. Hmm...

A very quick post from me, as am tired and sleepy...

Had a great xmas lunch with team today, which doubled as my 'leaving do', even though I don't finish until Thursday. My choice - didn't want a big fuss. However, loved the attention, and got some beautiful pressies, including a 'Tricotti' sling that I had not-so-subtley asked for!

Iris, sounds like your hypnobirthing is much more about 'proper' hypnosis than mine - which is more just glorified relaxation and visualisation techniques. I have also been very slack on practising these past few weeks (finding it very difficult to make the time at the moment), so I MUST MUST get back onto it as soon as I finish work!

Lyra, I've been doing the perineal massage nightly since 32 weeks, god knows if it's having any effect - it's certainly very tedious... recommendation is to do it for at least 5 mins, but I think I generally only manage about 3 mins because a) it's very boring, b) my hand starts to ache and c) it's not comfortable rubbing ANY single area of your body continuously for 5 mins now is it?!

Tickle - so pleased to hear that your babe is now head down, long may he reign! Do give us details of your time alone with DH too...

G&A sounds fab - I'm sure I'm going to love it!

Measurement of bump: 107cm at 36 weeks. Looks quite small apparently, but I think that's also because I'm so tall!

Afternoon - just had a visit to see my mum and grandma and the first thing my nana said is if I carried so neat I'd have had more than 4
HM I lost about 2-4kg in the last month with dd but not being to eat chocolate, high carbs etc has got to have an effect on the size. Also I had a terrible time with dd when she was born as she had no suck reflex and so it didn't exactly lend itself to breastfeeding. She started on a bottle at a day old and we were fully breastfeeding by 3wks, every feed we just kept trying and after a while she got the hang of it. Backwards I know but not something to worry about especially when you have done so well with your ds.
Also having occasional nothing pees but in general not too bad on the loo front, also 4/5 engaged not sure how as that was the furthest dd got during last labour.
Hypnotherapy sounds really interesting, hope that it makes a big difference for you Iris.
Well better go and get some chocolate before dd wakes up.
Take care

Morning

Terrible evening last night, had really bad pains in my SI joints then it came around the front, it was agony and coming in waves. Poor DP I abandoned him with DD and wallowed in the bath for an hour. Think he thought the baby was coming there and then. All calmed down in a few hours though. Don't know what was going on.

Glad it's not just me who's having fun with the toilet! Have to plan any outings around toilets at the moment. Am only on essential journeys these days.

Iris - hypnobirthing sounds great, my idea is to focus on "it'll soon be over, it'll soon be over" over and over again.

HM - I'm sure everything will be fine with the babe too theres that many women I've spoken to that were told they were having 9lbs plus babies and out pops a little 7lber.

Loomer - I was going to do the perineal massage but read on here it only works on first timers, since I only had a baby 17 months ago hope everything still stretched down there a bit.

I've put on just over 2 stone so far it feels all bump and boobs though. MW weighed me last week and said my BMI was 26 which was just over normal I said "erm I am 36 weeks pregnant!"

mornin all

slept through till about 4.20, which is good going for me. then up for hot choc and a bit of a read of my book, then back to sleep till a reasonable hour. hope everyone else is sleeping better. i seem to need the yucky old gaviscon more and more at the mo, but looking forward to not needing it after the baby's born.

went out for a fabbo meal last nite with some friends, was amazed that i could eat a whole 3 courses (no wonder i'm getting indigestion!). grilled asparagus with roasted pepper and goats cheese, followed by fillet steak, fat chips, mushrooms and au poivre sauce, then exotic fruit plate with strawberry sorbet. food heaven!

quiet day on the western front here. dh not very well, so he's off work this week. kids still in pjs, eating multiple breakfasts and playing on the computer (or they were). i'm having a fairly lazy morning, doing washing, had a bath, lazed in bed listening to woman's hour, read book etc. could do with taking bella out, but think dh will take her this pm, maybe we could go together.

now, measurements:

my "waist" ie. the widest part of me round the middle is 51" or 127 cms! my fundal height ie. pubic bone to top of uterus is 42 cms so size wise i should definitley be ready to pop at any time! i v. much doubt it tho, for some reason i think jan 6 th will be the big day, don't know why, it just seems to stick in my mind.

the weather is disappointingly mild here in M/cr. we were hoping for snow or at least frost. instead it's slightly breezy and fairly mild, with a baleful white sky. hrrumph! hope it chills down in time for xmas.

dd is v cross with ds as he's jumped in my bath water ahead of her. she'll just have to make do with a shower won't she, as there's no hot water now due to all the washing.

hoping to hear from you all soon. xx

i think that puts Rach in the lead measurements wise!

I had a nice morning today as I drove DH to work so I could have the car and do some labour shoppnig. So I now have big knickers, disposable knickers, a new nighty, breast pads, bed mats and all sorts of great stuff from Asda. I feel slightly more prepared now. I was really panicking the other day thinking we would really be in trouble if this baby came early.

My waist is 110 cms around but I have a whole more month to go. People at work told me I am looking smaller than last time but my bump still measures one cm for each week (like last time) so I'm not sure where they get that idea. Like Looker, I am quite tall (5'10") so the bump doesn't stand out as much as it could. My huge boobs only help hide it so it took a while for people to be brave enough to assume I was pg rather than just huge.

I haven't started Perineal mssg yet. I hated it so much last time and then it turned out to be all for nothing as I ended up with a Caesarian. Chances are I will have a C-section again so I don't really want to do it. But it's not a certain thing so I probably should. Everything is super tight down there for me due to lack of any other sort of action Would having sex every night do the trick? Ha, ha. Poor DH wouldn't know what hit him...

Sorry, "like Looker" should be Loomer of course.

Lyra - was beginning to think you might have popped already! 42cm - wow! I'm beating you (just) on girth but not on length! And to think I thought mine was all out the front - do you feel like you are going to split? My previous umbilical hernia (from ds2) is bulging ominously.

I was up at 5 as well, couldn't sleep then panicking over not being able to find an important document on my laptop (stupid me was only looking for word files not pdfs). Had a bath at 9 and then slept till now ds2 and dd playing quietly (so thankful they are 7 and 9 not toddlers!). DS1 is paintballing in the Brecon Beacons. Still have 2 reports to finish...

Hi there

Bit of a sad day for me as waved DD off this morning with her dad. She's with him until 28th now. Managed not to cry until she was out of sight and then crawled upstairs, sat on her bed and wept whilst cuddling her fave toy. . DH out tonight for one last Christmas bash, so I'm here on my lonesome feeling a little blue. Will seek solace in HUGE bowl of Angel Delight

I know she'll have a fab Christmas and won't miss me in the slightest, but it's hard letting your child go at this time of year. Next year will be fab though as she'll be with us and her little sister and I'm planning a really good ole fashioned Chtistmas somewhere in the Cotswolds/Norfolk/Suffolk. We'll rent a house and get our families together. Look at me, wishing my life away....

I know I should make the most of the peace and quiet before DD comes back and Beany makes her appearance. But is really is sooooo quiet that it seems a bit weird.

Am dustiong everything in sight and doing loads of laundry..... but not really filling the hole it has to be said.

You've reminded me that I should speak to the hospital to make MW appt.

Just measure bump and it's 41.5in. Think I'm same as SweetKit, got bump and boobs and been lucky not to put to much on elsewhere. Gained about 2 stone. With DD I looke like the Elephant Man - water retention you wouldn't believe!

And yep, with all of you on the weeing for England front. Plus getting booted black and blue by Beany.

Love the sound of hypnobirthing. Maybe next time

Have a good day. Will check back later. Just watch, I'll be a menace now seeing as I have so much time on my hands . You'll be bored stupid of me by Friday!

G xx

Oh Georgie! I really feel for you having spent a couple of xmas days mainly on my own when ex-h has had the kids and dp has been working all day. So glad this year he has 10 days off and the kids will be here xmas am and then in the evening until New Year (I'll probably be fed up of them all by Boxing Day...)

By the way I received two great parcels this morning I have to share with you - a modroc (plaster of paris) bellycasting kit!!! Got it for dp for xmas (£35 from everlastingcastings.co.uk) because he keeps saying he'd love to make a cast of my bump n boobs when we've seen them on telly. Also a t-shirt for him from nappyhead.co.uk (funky t-shirts for babies, mums, dads etc) with 'The Daddy' written on it in a 'Godfather' typeface - think I'll save that one for his birthday when babe WILL be here.

Aaw Georgie,

thinking of you. you definitely need some pampering today, and lots of distration. a dvd and box of chocs? a trip to the beauty salon for a pedicure? out for lunch with a friend? sorry to hear dh is out tonite too, we're always here for company on mn don't forget! (what flavour angel delight btw?)

Told you I'd be a menace!

Buttersctoch Angel D is the only one for me

And am off to beauty salon tonorrow for 'fat girl' massage and pedicure. My feet look like Satan's hooves at the mo .

Rachey - you've just reminded me, must get 'big sister' t-shirt for DD and 'little sister' t-shirt for Beany. And one for Daddy as well! Will pop onto the website you recommended and have a look.

Better unpack groceries..... sigh!

G xx

Oh poor Georgie, I can just imagine you sitting on her bed with her favourite toy. Sounds exactly like something I might do. Now that I am on maternity leave and have the whole house to myself 4 days a week I sometimes think about going to Thomas' nursery and collecting him hours early. So far I have managed to resist the urge

There's a parcel waiting for me at the PO. I think it must be my TENS machine since I ordered it on Monday and they are very quick. I'm not actually sure it really helped me a lot last time but it sure gave me something to distract me, which is a good thing by itself.

Does anyone have any experience with hiring a (hospital grade) electric breast pump? I am planning on getting one as BFing last time was horrible but I still want to try and give our new little man some mum's milk for a while. Most websites I can find say they do next day delivery but I find it a bit scary not having things planned in advance. Then again, this babymight be better at BFing so I might not need one. Oh, too many uncertainties...

hi again all

My Dad and my really old Grampa just away, bless him an hours drive there and back think he had fun just watching DD who was the life and soul of the party (and is now asleep) more presents for DD to open too.

Am in bloody agony today again like yesterday my left buttock feels like a horse has trampled on it and the pain has travelled around the front under the bump (SP joint I think). Poor DP think he has a heart attack every time I phone him at work. Told him babe isn't due for another 3 weeks and I'm not having her before Christmas!

Had a quick measure of bump and am measuring 37 weeks! I'm only 5'3" so I look huge as it is.

Eshay - are you planning a VBAC? or an elective section? I have a Medula mini breast pump it was £40 from Boots I think. It was great not sore and I could easily express 6ozs in 10 mins (usually whilst MNing). My advice for anyone attempting to breastfeed is it is a nightmare for the first 3 weeks but persevere and it becomes so easy. DD was jaundice so very sleepy and reluctant to feed at first (was being threatened with tube feeding at one point) but I expressed 1-2ozs for her and she would take that then kept offering her boob first and she got the hang of it. We'll all be here to help too!

Georgie - oh you poor thing you are bound to miss your DD like mad. Have to admit I've already bought DD a big sister top! Really could do with a pedicure as well DD was trying to pick my hard skin from my feet today

Oh I'm willing to rent out DD for the afternoon!

Eshay

I used a hospital pump last time to try to help reduce engorgement. it was very easy to get lots out, but i think it increased my supply and eventually I had to put up with leaking and being engorged and letting the supply meet the demand. dd was a much better feeder than ds though, so i found it much easier 2nd time round. hope you do too. what went wrong for you last time? 1st time i kept getting blocked ducts and mastitis, and gave up about 4 months in. 2nd time i had none of those problems, dd just seemed a much more effecient (if v. greedy!) feeder and drained my breasts very well!

Took your advice Lyra and got a DVD and some chocs. Been a bit of a pig and polished them off and now feeling a wee bit sick if thruth be told .

Can I get a collective raspberry blown by you guys in DH's general direction. Poor, poor bloke has to suffer ANOTHER meal at Maze (Gorden Ramsey's new place) tonight. GGGGGRRRRRRRRRR. Bl**dy corporate expense accounts.

Sweet Kit - can't believe how much bad luck you're having with all your aches and pains. It's got to hurt like a bugger.

Eshay - haven't used a hospital grade pump I'm afraid. Have heard from g'friends that they are good though. Just had a little Avent hand pump thing. Did make me feel like Daisy the Cow though . Think you're right to keep open mind and see how this one copes with b'feeding. Makes me see red when women are made to feel guilty about not b'feeding. More important that baby gets fed and both bubs abd mum are happy and content. Sorry, will get down off soap box now......

G xx

I BFed Thomas for about 5 months but absolutely hated it. I think part of the problem was that I have big floppy boobs with flat nipples (one is more inverted than flat, actually). Not really an easy thing to latch onto. Thomas did drink but I don't think he ever had as much as he should have per feed as he fed two-hourly for ages and also had green poos most of the time - an indication that he was not getting enough hindmilk (and therefore being hungry sooner).

He seemed to enjoy the feeds as he would just lie there and suckle for hours on end. The worst was the evenings as he would start at about 7 and I would sit up feeding him until 1am sometimes! He would doze off and every time I tried to put him down he would scream and want more food. Obviously I can't take that approach this time around as I don't have the time and really don't want to spend months on the sofa with my boobs hanging out.

After a while we introduced the odd bottle of formula because I was just too exhausted and I ended up expressing most of my milk and giving it to him that way. Much easier! Hand expressing took quite a while though so that's why I'm thinking about getting the proper gear this time.

So we'll see how this one handles my boobs and see how things go. Maybe T was just extra lazy. Thanks for all your concerns.

Hello everyone.

I have let things slip again and haven't been in contact for ages. I'm glad to see everyone is doing OK and sounds like your all having the same aches and pains as I am. DP had to pratically help me out of bed the other day as my back is causing problems but the baby seems fine and my consultant is happy to let me contine with the pregnancy. Now I have hot 36 weeks which they didn't think I would they say I will probably go full term. Explaining that to work was hard since I have been off of work since 22 weeks due to risk of pre term labour.

Everyones bumps sound huge. Mine is 36 weeks which I think is spot on as isn't it meant to be the number of weeks in relation to Cm's?????

Well I passed my driving test with only two minors last week but that seemed so long ago as my nan passed away on wednesday. The funeral is this friday and so we have to drive to Portsmouth in the morning. My essays are late and I'm panicked cause I have 10 people coming for xmas dinner. I actually have blisters on my tounge through stress and poor DP and DD are really feeling the brunt of it all. Sometimes I think I must be the worst mum in the world for the amount of times I shout at her and all she does is look at me and tell's me she loves me and that i'm the best. I have to admit I'm finding it hard to cope now but it's such a busy time of year that no-one can really help and DP is doing 6am - 9pm shifts at the moment.

DP's car has just cost another £700 as the gearbox went. That totals £4000 in the last 4 months. It's a V reg with 38,000 miles for goodness sakes. My maternity fund is now a big cause for concern.

Anyway sorry to be a whinger and all emotional especially since I haven't even bothered swicthing the computer on in weeks.

I think I'm gonna go to bed and have a little cry to myself now and I will be OK in the morning.

horseshoe

great to hear from you, and sorry you're having a bit of a low time this evening. life gets very hormonal doesn't it? and so sorry to hear about your nan, hope the funeral goes as well as these things can.

take it easy on yourself, i don't think you sound like the worst mum - we all shout at our kids all the time, it's just normal when we're feeling knackered and stressed.

so glad you're still with us pg wise, but it's completely full on now isn't it? i can't wait to be without my bump and to be able to be more active and to get down to the floor again.

sounds like it might be time to wave bye bye to that car, once it's fixed, sounds like it's jinxed! maybe start again with another one?

will anyone be helping you with the cooking etc. on xmas day? i certainly hope so!!!!!

hope to hear from you again soon. lots of love xx

Hiya all,

Fab to hear from you Horseshoe and that your LO is hanging on in there all hale & hearty!! Huge congrats for passing your test too - mobile and independant at last!!! Sorry about your nan though & hope it all goes ok on Fri. Also, as Lyra said, don't feel bad about yourself - we're all big bags of hormones at the mo. Treat yourself like you would your best friend

Georgie - DD had a Xmas away with XDH when she was 5 so I know just how you feel but on the plus side, you can now be waited on hand foot & finger and slob about to your hearts content!!(i stayed in PJs all Xmas day that year made full xmas dinner for 1 with special treaty stuff/fizz & did no washing up or anything until Boxing Day - ended up having a ball on my own!) Will gladly blow a raspberry at your DH though (unless he invites me with him next time - Gordon Ramsay is soooooooo sexy, full on male, virile..... think my DH better watch out tonight)

Wish they did large sized "big sister" T-shirts. I've hunted around (as I wanted to get one for DD as a jokey reminder of her paranoia of being though of as LO's mum!!)but to no avail. It's probably a bit late to get one printed up specially but I still may try.

Breastpumps - I got a mini medela pump a little while ago (glad you recomnmend it SK! - just noticed you're the same height as me BTW!) Though I found my old one it reminded me too much of a bicycle pump (same design) and it was quite hard going as you needed 2 hands to use it. DH is really keen on being able to feed LO too so we've got bottles & stuff in ready (don't think I'll be doing it straight away though as MW talked about nipple confusion if you try to alternate between breast/bottle too early).

Saw consultant today (plus scans & stuff - it took 4 hours!!) & the baby has had a bit of a growth spurt but is still within an ok range. They reckon he's 6.5 lbs now!! and also said I can have a water birth if I want (contrary to the delivery ward sister who said I wouldn't even be allowed to labour in the pool!)I got the consultant to confirm it all on my notes too, just to be sure. I'm over the moon!!

Tesco Xmas delivery tomorrow so I'm going to be in overdrive (I hope) on final preparations (except cleaning - vacuum cleaner packed up this morning - agggghhhhhhhh am feeling withdrawal twitchiness already ) Just hope they deliver everything we ordered otherwise DH will have to go & brave the manic throngs/bare shelves!!!!It's come round so quickly hasn't it!?

Iris, we had some aprons printed dor parents-in-law by the following people: www.pixaco.co.uk
They were absolutely great and very fast. They do T-shirts as well, you just upload your photo and they send you the finished product. It would mean you having to pick a nice photo and editing it to include the text "I'm the Big Sister" or whatever you like. If you have a nice picture of her face on or near your big tum that would probably work quite well. Should be obvious it's not hers then
Congratulations on the good news of being allowed a waterbirth and clever thinking for having the consultant write it in your notes!

Horseshoe, Congratulations on passing your driving test. Well done for keeping it uyp this late in the pg. I did mine at 4 months pg and was hugely relieved I didn't have to take any more lessons or worry about it with my growing bump and raging hormones. I'm so sorry to hear about your gran. Hope everything goes ok tomorrow.

Can you tell your 10 guests to cut you some slack and give them all a task while they are at your house? OR ask one or two to come early to help? I'm sure they are understanding people and if not yo can always pretend you're feeling some contractions.

Sorry, SK, I forgot to say yesterday. I am hoping for a VBAC but I'm trying not to get too focussed on it. I have an appt with the consultant at 39 weeks to see how things are going and if this one is big again or in a funny position we might decide to go for an elective C-section. Also, we decided ages ago that I will only go to 41 weeks or I'll have a C-section. This is because they'd rather not induce people with a previous C-section and they also don't want too much pressure on the scar for too long. It's all fine by me, as long as it's not 34 hours of labour followed by an emergency C-section like last time. That was just a bit too much for me

Iris

What fab news re. the waterbirth!!! CONGRATULATIONS! Love your consultant.

Buying some 2nd hand nappies tomorrow, 4 motherese 1 size and 2 airflow wraps, a nappy bucket and net, some liners and a bottle of tea tree oil, all for £10. Not bad eh? Hope the nappies are ok. will get one or 2 others to try as well, when i see them for sale 2nd hand. the woman is also selling a changing station that goes on top of the cot too, also £10. i'm not sure whether or not to get that too, we haven't got a changing table and the baby's room is small, so it would make sense, but i'm completely brassick at the mo, so i'd be spending funny money. hmm, i'll see what it's like tomorrow.

having my hair done today, as is dd, also with overdraft money, but needs must. a girl has to look good eh? dd's having a restyle, so i hope it works out for her. she's very unconfident about her looks, so i'm hoping it'll give her a boost and she won't have a change of heart after the event. atm she has long blonde (and hormonally greasy) hair in a very plain long fringe style, and she's going for a shoulder length bob with lots of layers. fingers crossed for her.

laters girls - breakfast calling.

Just crashing in from the Dec thread to say thanks to Rachey. I'm sure I will still be here come Jan so I'll be coming whining to you ladies about how miserable I am!!

Have a good Christmas all.