October 2011 Baby Bus... PART 4

[happymummytobe]

A new thread for the bus!

oooh molybdenum so glad to hear hypnobirthing has made you feel confident: we start our course tomorrow but I have read most of the book and listen to my birthing affirmations on the commute twice a day and fall asleep to the rainbow relaxation every night now....am really looking forward to the classes...who is your birthing partner and how did they find it?

Hello all! Only just discovered this. Am due on 12th Oct is my first, so its all veyr new!

rebel my husband comes with me. He finds it interesting, and keeps up with the 'homework'. Anything that gives me more confidence is positive in his eyes. Wait until you see some of the videos they show - so inspirational and empowering. I try to do my rainbow relaxation each day, but I think so far I've only ever made it to green before falling asleep! Hopefully my subconscious is taking it all in.
soundof : a Moby wrap has been the first one. I'm also very keen on a BabyBjorn and maybe a Tricotti. A friend raves about her KariMe, but it looked a bit big and unwieldy to me. I think I might hunt out a babywearing meet-up to attend to try a few things out.

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a nice weekend, plenty of sleep (wishful thinking?) and not too many niggles!

Well the hospital bag is packed! 35+5 today so not sure if that really counts as last minute, but a friend of mine is due a month later than me and has had hers packed for at least a month already. I just need to pop a few bras in but I need them in the meantime so they will go in literally at the last minute.

The nursery furniture was delivered on Saturday, just need a mattress for the cot now - it's all starting to feel a bit more real now!

Has anyone tried ante-natal acupuncture? I have my first session booked for Weds this week and was wondering if anyone had done it and whether it made a difference? According to the modwife who does it, it is supposed to help with sleep in the weeks leading upto the birth, and then it is should reduce the time it takes for the cervix to open for the birth (?? am translating - the dilation phase maybe?). It sounds quite nice and relaxing anyway :)

Hi all hope every1 is well, I'm struggling to sleep now despite tackling DSs sleep problems lol I'm up half the night on my own now.
pebble painting went well although fumes are quite strong! And it's turned out a much brighter pink than I thought! Still nice but a bit "barbie"

I've not booked into hypnobirthing course as I'm too skint but I'm trying to make my way through the book and cd, it really does make u sleepy!

Only 3 more shifts at work woohoo!

34 weeks today

I could never afford the hypnobirthing course but has anyone got the natal hypnotherapy cd? Is it good? I'm thinking of starting on that tonight.

35+5 and only 3 days to go at work!

Hi all

Exciting countdowns for mat leave!!!

edward yay for three more shifts - sure once you have all the furniture in it will feel less pink.

mpops 3 days will fly by.

littlepebble single figures is when the countdown becomes exciting!

Bubalie I use fairy non bio and non bio fabric softner on babies clothes and have never had any problems - also tumble dry clothes with no problem (like shelley said on low heat)

Shelley Hope DS enjoys school on Wednesday.

Soundofherwings wow 36+2 - that's sooo close to the end! Good luck turning her, hopefully she behaves (unlike my very naughty two!). We use the close parent sling as I can't get used to the one shoulder ones and I like the stretchy fabric of it.

Penelope ooh so you might be sooner than expected(!) I had always heard it was about a week after you dropped but with DS it was more like 3!

rebel snap with the pelvis - cannot wait to be able to lay comfortably even with night feeds am sure the sleep I do get will be so much better without the immense pain just turning over or trying to get up to go to the toilet.

Happy snap on the 37 week mark - not sure I could face any longer!!!

*Moly - wow to 37 weeks!!! Congrats on full term! Think you ladies are very brave with homebirths - the idea scares the bejeezus out of me but it must be lovely to just be around all your things and settle into the new family life straight away. I have the bugaboo donkey and the carry cots are very practical for sleeping

We use close parent pop in nappies but they can only be used from 7lbs so will use newborn / tiny baby nappies for the twins when they first arrive if they are not big enough. We have the Bambino ones too but I have to admit to not getting past looking in the pack as they do seem a bit confusing!

Later no experience of it here but anything that helps with sleep and labour gets my vote

So first day of mat leave has been a bit of a revelation. Am tired from a busy weekend but am no longer desperate to get these babies out this second. I think where I was juggling work, DS and the pregnancy I was taking all my frustration out and targeting it at the discomfort I feel in this pregnancy. Not having the pressure of work and being able to control my day a bit more has made me more relaxed about it and actually a couple more weeks isn't going to hurt (although I'm not sure I'll be saying that if I make it to 38 weeks!!).

34+6 today, Get my CS date this time next week if these babies stay but so am wishing this week away a bit .

Hi all

Was on the thread earlier but haven't been on for a while. Its starting to get real isn't it! I'm 34 weeks now.

My low lying placenta has moved out of the way (hurray!) and we found out at that scan that this is a little DS! Thrilled to bits! We have a DD (2 and three months) already so it has been really exciting looking at baby boy clothes for a change! But he's not getting much - most of DDs newborn stuff was white anyway so he'll be in hand-me-downs. But I am thinking of getting a couple of nice baby boy sleepsuits just for him so at least he gets something new.

Lovely to read how you are all getting on. I guess this thread will start getting very exciting soon as babies start turning up!

I looked at my handheld notes and the first thing it says is date of last period - 11 JANUARY in my case. I thought blooming heck, pregnancy goes on a bit doesn't it! Its SEPTEMBER now and we're all still at it!.

xxx Bumps

Okay, the one night of unbroken sleep was clearly a freak occurrence, it's back to tossing and turning and dragging heavy front loaded bump to the side now!

I am starting to see why people have had enough at the end now, I am sure it would be better if I didn't still have three weeks to go at work as it's much easier when not in work type clothes but am a bit sick of Porgey banging it's head against my bladder/cervix, it's really not comfy. Part of me was hoping it would be better when it dropped down a bit but then today the secretary at work told me then it just feels like it's going to drop out! Also a bit difficult when the dog was rushing me to the wood this morning at 6am when I was walking like a huge fat pregnant person, lovely :)

scheh snap this is my first too due on 12th.

On a good note our Mammas and Papas furniture is being delivered on Saturday, the shop has found our mosquito net which was missing when we collected the pram and bits and our Moses basket is available for collection too. Now we just need our lollipop lane stuff but it's the furniture I was most wanting so I can wash the clothes and hang them up. Pool has been ordered too so looking forward to that :) rebel my DH was sceptical at first about the Hypnobirthing course as he is a Nurse so feels comfortable in a hospital environment, he is well in to the course now though and totally gets it. We just have our birth plan to do now this week with teacher and I have been trying to do the tape every night.

On a bad note I have dropped brownies on the floor and the dog is eating the remnants because I am too fat to be quick enough to beat him to it!

Congratulations of the placenta moving bumps

Forgot to say we have. Wall Boo sling, it's straight forward to use as we practised with teddy and I am only about 5ft2 and it seems fine.

Hello - I'm coming to this thread very late but am hoping I'll be able to keep up now I'm on maternity leave...really feel for those of you still working, I just couldn't face it at all any more! (I'm always lazy, even when not pregnant )

This is our first, a boy, and I'm 33+2...my younger sister is due in just six days with her first (a girl) so that's making me really impatient for mine to arrive too...can't believe there are still another 7 weeks to go.

He's measuring big, have been told he'll probably get to the 10lb mark - so I'm a little nervous about pushing that out! Start my hypno birthing course next week, can't wait and am hoping it chills me out a bit more about the birth side of things.

Hope these last few weeks go nice and quick for us all

hello lovely ladies!

i managed to read a fair whack of the thread the other day but then ran out of time to post - have just caught up whilst DH is tucking LO into bed & now can post (no doubt a load of waffle lol!!

sorry, am rubbish with remembering names & if i scroll back up to ID you all I'll lose my posting moment lol. so - hope SIL is ok, hubby has apologised, LO's are all enjoying being back to school , i'd go with the name YOU want, not the name someone else might use - and those finishing work can actually manage to relax now! oh, nighties - Matalan (if that's not too trampy for this group?) has front buttoned nighties at £6 each, and they are really quite nice. Matalan also have some well priced baby clothes too (although TONS more for girls than boys!).

Now, where can i get some reasonably priced bras? am still undecided if i'm going to BF or not - i suspect as with my last 2 bubba's i will do for a week & then move onto bottles. so don't want hugely expensive but at the same time they need to be effective... i have a couple of crop type but with these mammoth specimens they will have no effect whatsoever....

my things to add to the "looking forward to list" are sexy time with my DH, being able to snuggle watching on our "lovecouch" that was new immediately before pregnancy that has been absolutely unusable since about 4months in because of my belly, and being able to drink wine guilt free, and to eat rare rare fillet steak.... and of course having my squishy own gorgeous baby boy to inhale finally :)

had my low lying placenta scan last week - it has thankfully moved out of the way, and Bubba is head well down & ready - his spine is down my right hand side, so all that "making sure i'm sleeping on my left so the weight makes him lie properly" has been a total waste of time. still, am no longer fighting the "i must roll over to my left" urges, and seem to be sleeping "better". is there such a thing??!!!

alas there was protein & slightly raised BP, and my fingers/lower arms have swollen ridiculously - so they sent off the sample for more testing, which they've since said needs re-doing, but i forgot... bad MTB!!!

have now also had my approval for homebirth - my equipment will be delivered from 36wks, so oo, in 6 days.... MW asked if we wanted a birth pool delivering also?!?! but we said no, not planning on taking long enough for it to fill lol! have been to tesco today & bought 4 plastic dust sheets for £1 for the bed/carpet... all cream of course, really don't want them wrecking! need to move the towel storage box into my bedroom also for 2 reasons - a) easy access to major towel supply, and b) MW asked for a nice flat surface in case of having to resusc.... going to pack bags as though we were going to hospital anyway so that everything is in one place if we don't, and if we do then it's to hand to just grab.

has been all mad go here with DD & DS3 getting ready for back to school - DD starts High School this week, and DS3 started F2 (aka 4+) today. Wasn't sure he'd actually get there after last night he dive bombed off the back of the sofa onto the skirting board edge in the bay window & we rushed him off to A&E cos it was a revoltingly deep gash in his eyebrow. Thankfully 3 hrs & some magic glue later we were home and well though. My 35week bump didn't make them hurry their treatment annoyingly, they just said "if you need it, maternity's over there". hmph.

i had super grumps over the weekend. SO SO SOOOOOOOO fed up of not being able to sleep, breath, being able to walk/move, or even hold a conversation without losing my breath, and generally feeling like a burden on my DH who seems to be having to do everything - all he keeps saying is take it easy, have a rest, leave that.... and so giving me/bump any attention seems to not be happening, and i got a tad narked. not helped by having a dream where he left me after the baby was born "cos he was sick of the domestic drudgery" :'( and when i told him he did his usual "oh shush it's not real".... it FELT it!!!

bag is ready to be packed

anyway. got 3 cake orders over the next 2 weeks - for those who don't know i'm mid setting up my own home baking business - wondering at what point to start saying "no" lol.... and then what point to start saying "yes" again! i've already ruled out a food fayre on Oct 30th just in case bubba is late... please god not!

Still having indecision about bubba's name.... DH has argued my choice (Flynn) all along, swings from "it's not that bad" to "i hate it"... and tonight he's said "i actually much prefer Albert to Flynn" (bump has been called Bert from day 1 - Albert was an option til i decided i loved Flynn) but now i really aren't sure i like albert...... so what to do??!!! middle name will be Anthony, so thoughts please?

As for those of you who are giving up work - I was a total workaholic before my DS3 was born, when i returned (Office Manager in a tiny tiny company) after maternity leave, the whole atmos had changed - my temp had been a total doormat whilst doing my job and therefore my boss expected the same from me, er no... I had been about to be promoted to Site Supervisor pre-pregnancy, and the plan had been for temp to stay on doing my job whilst I moved up, well boss decided to move his DD into THAT role (she had previously been a care worker - go figure) and fired my temp the day i went back, making every day an utter hell for me... my baby got chicken pox within 2 weeks of me returning (the joys of nurserys!) and I had to sit with him aged 6mths crying on my lap in the office on my boss's computer, whilst said boss shouted at me because he didn't know how to send an email....... didn't take me long to make the decision to jack it in & become a SAHM!! NO amount of money is worth that IMO... so don't be so sure you will be going back to work afterwards anyway!

well loo is calling, might fall in the bath while i'm up there... so catch up again soon! sorry to have waffled such a lot! who on here does facebook btw?

TTFN!

wobbles
35+1 #5

oh, forgot to say - we found a bargain quinny zapp inc. carrycot, carseat, child seat, rainhoods, etc etc etc on ebay AND WON!! woop woop woop!!! how pleased were we?? in quite a nice petrol/lime green (that sounds awful lol) too! was dreading being lumbered with a bright red one!

and also forgot - DH bought me some raspberry leaf tea too, so now can start drinking that - woohooo!!

x

duh... also forgot to say (preggy brain!!) Bert measuring exactly on 50th centile - MW reckoned 7-8lb birth weight - which was lovely to see given DS3 was 9lb 4... was NOT looking forward to a 10lb+er!! ;)

Evening peeps! 33 weeks today. I had a scan this afternoon and my placenta has moved too. Hurrah! Anyone else still waiting to hear about theirs?
I'm being referred back to midwifery led care. (Huge relief, particularly as I met my consultant today for the first time and he seemed a bit clueless. )

It was a fun visit though. I know bump is fidgety but it was on fine form today. There was a student there, I was the first patient she'd ever examined. She worked out which bit was the bum and the spine, had a bit of help finding the head, but then couldn't find the heartbeat with the doppler. She was getting flustered so the MW took over to help, and she couldn't find it either. They'd keep just catching it and bump would move again. It took nearly 5 minutes for the MW to get it properly. :o I apologised for being so awkward.

We have a nice scan picture of the face, even if it is a bit like a magic eye one. We can see it easily but my Mum can't. (I'll put it on my profile for anyone else to try.)
Also if any of you work for the NHS, wear your ID badge when you go for a scan. I didn't have to pay for my picture. I wish I'd know that 6 scans ago when I was expecting DD!

I've got 3 more weeks of work, only 3 days a week though so 8 days!!! I'm panicking at the amount I need to get done. Still no news on any maternity cover and I hate leaving people in the lurch. My clients are vulnerable enough. I have managed to make a start on a few templates for the things I do though so in theory other people could provide some of the things I make without too much trouble.

molybdenum We used some bamboozles last time, we couldn't afford the initial outlay to buy enough to use them solely though. I thought they were great really absorbent, so soft and they dried pretty quickly on the radiators... (it was a miserable summer when DD was born.) We'll use them again this time and hopefully buy some more. I got some off Freegle too, they're called "modern baby" I washed them all but they took ages to dry. I had them on the line all day in the sun, brought them in to finish off and soften up in the tumble dryer, but then had to turn them inside out and do them in the tumbler again. So I suspect we won't use them, especially as October weather isn't the best for line drying.

shelleylou I never use fabric softener because it doesn't get washed out and I have very sensitive skin... as do a lot of babies (If only my skin was as soft as theirs!)
For wash powder I stick to Ecover, Surcare or Method. Anything else makes me itch. It's so bad that on my other job when I'm folding washing I have to wear gloves or my hands will be red raw, itchy and the skin will crack.

Sorry epic post and I'm sure I've missed commenting on something. Bedtime now, I also had a rotten night last night my back/SPD was agony which has been made worse with lots of lying down and sitting up for examinations this afternoon. I'm shattered though so I may just sleep.

Molybdenum I've been given a pile of Fuzzibunz re-usables, having not had baby yet am not sure how good they are though. Ideally we'll use a mix of disposable and re-usable, but as I really have no clue at this stage about the practicality of either.

LaterAlligator I am having some antenatal acupunture when I see the midwife later on today, am interested in how it goes too!

bb3 I agree with what you said about being in less of a hurry now you're off work! I am quite enjoying it, and while I wanted baby asap before now am happy to wait a week or so. More than that am not so sure though ...

Morning all, well only my second day on maternity leave and I'm still awake at 7am. I think I may be too excited, I was so looking forward to catching up on my sleep and now I'm awake as soon as DH is gone to work! I think it may be due to the fact that I want to finish off all the little bits and maybe then I can relax?! Who knows.

Thank you all for your washing baby clothes recommendations, I have washed them all with Fairy non bio, no softner, extra rinse and low heat tumble dry. I was washing all day yesterday, I think I've gone a little mad with the clothes, I've got loads and all in nb size, I wander if I will get to use them all before the baby outgrows them. First time mom, gone a bit mental buying EVERYTHING!!! Ironing day today, see how that goes, and then I will be able to pack the baby bag for hospital and I may be able to relax and take it easy then. (And get some sleep at last).

My sleep is disturbed too, getting up 3 times a night for a loo and then can't get comfy and wide awake for loooong time... At least it's nice to know that I don't have to go to work anymore and can have a nap at any time if I need it.

Does anyone have Quinny Buzz 3, as we have kind of decided to get one of those with Maxi-Cosy car seat - anyone has any recommendations as I need to order that pretty soon - everything else is pretty much here. Oh and steriliser - do you have the microwave one or electric one - does anyone have any recommendations for that too? Sorry I keep asking, but can see that there are a few experienced mums here and as a first timer I will gladly take your advice :)

Yes, please give us some advice on sterilisers! I've no idea what to do. We don't have a microwave but thinking of buying on if it's any use for that kind of thing.

Morning all

Can't believe some of us are so close now! and yay for all the moving placentas - very glad that some of these babies are deciding to behave!!! And for last few days / weeks at work.

bumps yay for little baby boy! DS is a proper mummy's boy at the moment so am wishing all that for you too! Yes it does drag on - especially this last bit - feels like longer than the 7-8 months that come before it!

cheshire yay for furniture! I made brownies last night too and part of me wishes I had a dog to eat them as I have stuffed so many into my mouth this morning these babies must be on a sugar high and I am going to have to deal with working off the full fat they leave behind!

Hey Overreaction how exciting for your parents to have two new babies! Apparently (I have no proof of this only hearsay) bigger babies often come out more easily than small ones - as I said no idea if that is true as DS was 6.5lb!.

Wobble if you find any reasonably priced bras please let me know - was looking at plain black and white ones yesterday in mc and bawked at £18 each!! Matalan is a good call.

Congrats on home birth for all that have it going ahead - think you are very brave, the idea scares the bejeezus out of me personally but it must be lovely to be able to settle into family life as soon as the babies arrive. Wow cake orders seem to be piling in - do you have any pics?

Albert could have some very cute shortening names (Bertie, Albie etc) but as a full name I think I prefer Flynn personally.

Bilblio I think you might just have to let go and let them deal with the mat cover if they haven't been organised enough to get someone in in time.

Penelope I am enjoying it too - although seem to be baking up a storm every day - am going to be the size of a house. Today I am watching back to back episodes of Grey's anatomy and completely resting until DS comes back later.

Bubalie I am up with DS and DH for work most days at 6 but what's nice is the ability to go back to sleep - like I did today for an hours nap this morning - when I was feeling a bit crappy (got to love family!)

Steralisers - We have both microwave and electric and have to say I am not a fan of the microwave on. I am forever burning my fingers on the steam. We didn't use them for a while because I bf'd exclusively for about 5 months then starting expressing and mixing expressed bottles in the day and bf at night. The larger electric one I prefer as it just sits on the side and keeps them sterile for around three hours.

35 weeks today! Period pains still around and (so sorry for TMI) but very loose bowels (probably all the crap I am eating). Am in much less of a hurry for the babies to arrive now. Enjoying time with DS more and the mummy cuddles, this week is just turning out to be manic - DS's first day at nursery tomorrow, shopping Thursday and wedding on Friday - busy busy busy (hence the relaxing day today! Got 36 week scan next monday and get the date for CS - am hoping they don't push me too close to 38 weeks as I may cry - I am all for keeping them in for a bit but not too long hey, I am not crazy!!!!

Good morning all (doh - it's afternoon isn't it ). My word, you are prolific posters! I can't keep up I'm afraid.

We used Motherease nappies from birth and it was absolutely fine. We didn't even have a tumbler until very recently and DD was born in February, so we had a few months of nappies festooned on radiators to dry every few days. I would say to anyone considering reusables to just go for it - if you've used them from day one it's just part of the routine and doesn't seem any extra work (although of course it does entail a few more washloads a week, so techincally is). Mind you, I do hate scraping off toddler poo into the toilet now

Good luck to all those of you doing hypnobirthing. I decided I couldn't afford the classes, so listened to the CD religiously from about 35 weeks. I don't think it worked for me. I do wonder if classes would have.

We had a homebirth last time and loved it Well as much as you can love labour. Planning the same again, and hopefully this time won't have to transfer to hospital to have placenta removed.

I am suddenly feeling really pregnant and not liking it one bit. I weigh more now (33w) than I did at 42w with DD , I feel huge and uncomfortable, I can't sleep, I am knackered, I am grumpy. I didn't get like this with DD I have so looooooooooong to go still.

33+3 today

Hi all,
I was on this thread a while back but have had no time to come on mumsnet recently :(

Im 36 weeks today...and my baby is still in the breech position...Does anyone know there any chance of it turning? It is also a big baby, but I have loads of fluid...hmmm

I am so uncomfortable now as I am 3 stone heavier than my pregnancy weight and I'm still at work for another week. gahh.. I work on a checkout at the moment and can't reach the screen as my bumps so big! Can't wait to leave!

Is anyone got into the nesting phase yet...I certainly have!?

That was meant to say pre-pregnanct weight*

Yay bumps and biblio for placentas moving! leo I have heard babies can still move lots in these last few weeks - have you asked any mws or antenatal tutors/yoga bods about best positions for you to take to get baby to move into best position?
I am sooooo counting down days left of work: 2 1/2 weeks to go! Just realised meeting I thought I had (and associated deadlines) tomorrow am is in fact next week, so phew for that!!
xx

bubalie
I have a buzz 3 (although mine is nearly 3 yrs old) I really like it but I would say that you need to service it at least yearly I didn't know this and it went really stiff to unfold and front wheel went stiff, but pram shop serviced it for me and it's perfect now.

I bought mine as a package deal for £500 it included the dreami carrycot carseat and footmuff. That's probably the best way to buy it as it works out quite expensive to buy all the bits separately!
I haven't bought a steriliser this time as I'll be BF and never used it till I switched DS to bottles. So I'll wait this time if/when I need one.

*rebel" O that sounds promising...hopefully my baby decides to turn last minute..really dont want a C-section! Although every scan I have had the bubs has been breech..so I'm assuming he/she loves that position! I've got my first antenatal appointment tomorrow so I can ask there! How many weeks are you now? 2 1/2 weeks left in a stressful job doesnt sound fun! I only sit on a checkout atm so I'm finding it relatively okay