October 2011 Baby Bus... PART 4

[happymummytobe]

A new thread for the bus!

Hi all,
Just catching up with posts, been busy at work. BB3 sorry about c-section bugger, but agree with others, at least you have time to get your head round it, and should be nice and calm, rather than panicky rushed emergency. Glad twins looking healthy otherwise.
Also really sorry to hear about the poster on your twins thread: how awful for her and her family. I can completely understand why you and sassy felt so upset by it - it's close to home for you both, plus I think you feel like you do get to know people pretty well on MN: probably as we are all so completely open and honest on this site (must be the anonymity!). Hugs to you both and a and a as well (haven't used any smileys in a while!)
Welcome to legsy, good to have you join us, and I think we've all given up on whether we're actually September or October now, so no worries there!
Hey, Cheshire, when is your scan to check your placenta? I had my first NCT class last night, and the woman who takes it was great, and used to be a MW sister at St Georges (so pretty smart about this sort of stuff). I told her my scan was at 36 weeks (9th Sept) and I was finding that a bit tough as it means I can't really write a birth plan, in case I need a CS. She said I should call them and get it moved forwards, as if it is going to move, it will have done by 34 weeks, so waiting another 2 weeks won't change anything....just wondered what your hospital are doing?
My group were really nice at NCT though, so I'm excited we will all be going through it together.
Bad news is, I just went to my GP, who was spectacularly unhelpful and patronising, and I have some protein in my urine and my BP is up a bit for me (I am usually quite low). She just said "it's fine" but didn't explain anything else (and being medical, I need more than that!) so I feel quite worried now...think I will keep checking urine and BP at work over next few days and ring MW if it doesn't settle...hmmmmm xx

Hello Everyone!! - Sorry I've been so quiet for the last few months. I left reading the posts for a few days and then got so far behind I just couldn't catch up....Anyway, hope everyone is doing really well - it may only be a few weeks now before the first babies start appearing on this thread - how exciting!! Almost 31 weeks now and determined to be much more organised than for my last one. Already bought my newborn nappies, and starting to get everythng else ticked off my list. Anyone doing the dreaded perineum massage yet? When are we supposed to start?

are you the OP?

I was going to ask if anyone knew where you had been but was worried. Glad you're doing OK anyway.

Afraid I don't know the answer. I think the research suggests that it doesn't reduce chance of tearing but improves healing but haven't looked into for over a year.

rebel I'm not medical but am in science so also need more than just a statement.

penguin - Thank you for your concern - no I'm not the OP - but was on the thread very early on, before I had even told family....
I did perineum massage for my last pg and didn't have too many stitches, and was prepared for the 'stinging' feeling during birth, so think that helped, but had scar tissue afterwards that didn't heal properly and had to have an operation 6 months later - so it seems that it didn't help the healing last time.

well still glad you're doing well. I only noticed OP as I hadn't seen a green post for a while and haven't got all names into my head yet.

I didn't do it and every commented on how well my 3rd degree tear seemed to heal. No scar tissue issues but with time I have found it to be quite weak .

Hello legsy welcome and welcome back mum2be

You know I think this might be a record - all the DH/DPs that might not make the birth. Maybe we should all chip and hire a doula that can circulate the UK on call for those of us who's partner isn't able to make it!!!

I didn't do the massage either last time and had internal stitching but nothing externally but all healed fairly well and definitely felt snug inside afterwards!!

Got community midwife coming round at 3 to discuss birth plan - that will be a short meeting hey

Gahhh!! Just measured my tum and I am 40 inches around. Am going to tell myself this is because I am short (5'1'') and so it all has to stick out as it cannot go up....
Have decided am going to ring MWs and ask about proteinuria. Also have just realised stupid GP has measured me as small for dates and not bothered to do anything about it. Have tried remeasuring myself, and seem to be ok, but is hard to do it myself! Am going to ask for scan for placenta to be moved forwards to 34 weeks as well...
I have got to remember to do my bloody perineum exercises! I forget all the time, and haven't done any massage at all (seems a bit wierd to me, TBH)..

i was on the sept 10 last year (i still am) and we spanned 4 months! july,august,sept and oct babies!

Re perineal massage - my hypnobirthing book says it can be done from 6-8 weeks before due date which means I can start mine now. Oh joy! I did a little bit last time round and didn't need any stitches, just had a slight labial tear. But from the sounds of the other posts, that might just have been luck - plus DS1 was only 4lb 7oz so I didn't need to stretch as much!

Which reminds me - I packed some tea tree oil in my hospital bag last time round and sprinkled it onto my maternity pads and I think it really helped the healing. Must remember to get some more.

I remember the hospital giving me some oils to help with healing, also gave me some for massaging during labour.

Rebel my placenta scan is 1st Sept and then if everything is okay I will have a visit re the home birth 2 weeks after that, so I will be 34 weeks then too but will have done our birth plan as that is part of Hypnobirthing. I have written some notes for the birth plan so am working on the basis placenta will have moved at the moment and we will be part of the lucky 80% :)

Penguin have you tried Boots too for your treats?

Welcome Legsy we first is due on 12th October, although we are going to see Peter Kay at the end of September and thsay laughter is a good thing but hopefully Porgy will not turn up early due to Peter Kay!

Just to clarify I will NOT be massaging my lady bits and midwife said today that my bulging "bits" were probably just stored fat as we put it on round her thighs and hips! Gross.

Hello again - I haven't been on for months either. I wasn't the OP (she was called Arabella?) but posted the second post back in Jan when I first found out! It feels like a long time ago that I was 4 weeks gone and worried about MMC. Now I'm 33/34 weeks, and waddling. Hope everyone is doing well! I am fine, getting stressed about names though. Are any of you??

What's this legsy about tea tree oil, that helps healing does it?

Hey everyone,
Have been catching up with everyone's posts.

Thinking about tearing is really making me cringe in anticipation of pain. Went to a "preparation for labour" information evening last week and our midwife was very clear that when she tells us to stop pushing, we should stop! She showed a computer animation of the baby coming out of the birth canal (which no one wanted to see more than once) which prompted the man next to my DH to put his face in his hands (which he then did several times..couldn't work out if he was tired or just totally freaked out - am guessing the latter!).

Notice that I said DH and not DP (very weird!) - we got married on Monday. Am so pleased that we went for a very small, family wedding. was really chilled and relaxed. And my super sexy supportive maternity underwear meant I had an ache free bump, so could enjoy the day properly.

Now that's out the way I really feel like I can relax and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy. Plus, DH has really been getting to work on the baby room. Walls are half way there and new floor going down on Friday.

Only one week left of the school holidays though. Am planning on doing very little the 3 weeks I'm back at school.....reckon the students should always be working harder than me anyway!

Oooh congratulations mrsengel glad you had a great day x do you have any pics - I love weddings!! And well done DH on the nursery - I he a commitment that the wallpaper will be up next weekend... Let's see!!

Hello again, have had some internet problems so missed a few days. Good news is that DH now more likely to be around at material time! Still possibility of glitches with that, but much reduced thankfully!

hey everyone

i was also one of the early ones on the first thread, but seem to remember it being Arabella too. hope all is good with her.

it is amazing when you think how far we have come. one of my closest friends is 7 weeks preg and it is so funny when i try to remember my thoughts then (mostly very worried). i really want everything to work out for her so much. i keep thinking about it, but am not allowed to tell anyone yet (including my DH!) and hope it doesn't slip out. everytime we buy something i was to say how nice it will be to lend it to her after!

i have had a really productive week and bought LOADS of stuff. feel v chuffed. so excited for it all to start arriving. one thing i am v pleased with is we finally chose a changing unit. we found it cheapest on a website called Precious Little Ones, but it has really bad reviews on here. Mothercare have matched the price and given us a £10 voucher as well. that is over £50 saved!! worth looking into for those that are still buying new things...

i dont know anything about the perineum massage - i suppose i should look it up. i am trying to ignore this aspect of labour, which i suppose is not very helpful!

oh and congrats mrsengel! how exciting

Congratulations mrsengel!
Have been catching up with everyone this morning - can't believe we're all getting so close now!
I measured my "waist" and am 43 inches. Oh my goodnesss. My pre-pregnancy jeans have a 29 inch waist! It feels like just the last couple of weeks that I have suddenly expanded and while I don't really care, I am a bit freaked out when I see myself in mirrors

The movements I'm feeling have changed a lot in the last 2 weeks too. I used to get proper kicks and now it's more like huge squirms and I can see bits of foot and leg quite often. Anyone else noticed things feeling different recently?!

Also, I have a strange thing to ask about. Our washing machine is fine, but has started to smell a bit strange (as they do sometimes). It came with our flat when we moved in earlier in the year. We actually did have a new one deleivered a couple of weeks ago but it couldn't be fitted without huge faff (taking half the kitchen apart) so we didn't keep it. Anyway, I feel really precious about washing the baby's clothes in it because it's not new/immaculate. I KNOW this is so precious and silly and all our clothes come out perfectly clean - but still. It's this weird mental block I have - wanted everything for my baby to be perfect.
Am actually very embarrased to confess this, but can anyone offer any good cleaning tips for the machine?! I've done some 90 degree washes with biological powder but that didn't seem to do much.

Ok, off to lie down in a dark room for a bit a try to get a grip!

Hope you're all well xx

Maybe the trays where the powder and fabric conditioner go could do with a clean. My fabric conditioner one is horrible as I never use it, and I am going to give it a clean before I wash baby stuff. It may be a bit over the top but I feel the same way you do happymummy

And congratulations Mrsengel

what about a wash with a bit of bleach, same amount they recommend for nappy washing every so often.

Congrats MrsEngel

argghhhh I've just had a phone call saying there was a clotting issue with my the bloods that had been retaken. Third time not lucky.

Congratulations MrsEngel - fantastic news!

apples82 - I certainly found tea tree oil helped to sooth the bits below. When the midwife saw I had a labial tear she said it "might smart a bit when you go to the loo". Understatement of the century! It also helped to put a few drops in a jug of warm water and pour that over myself when I went to the loo.

All glorious details!

happymumtobe - I had an email from babycentre last week which said that the movements may feel less vigorous as the baby has less room to move around now. The midwife I saw this morning said the same thing - though I don't think this little one's been reading the manual! As long as you can feel something on a regular basis, I think it's OK.

happymummytobe do a hot wash with some white vinegar in it. You're meant to do it with nothing in, but I hate the idea of wasting a wash so I put some towels in there. It will get rid of any mouldy musty smell. Also as others have said take the drawers out and give them a good wash.
Don't be embarrassed either, there's loads of threads on here talking about the same problem.

Congratulations MrsEngel!
Also try not to worry about tearing. I tore very badly last time and had a bad graze but I didn't even notice at the time, my mind was elsewhere. :o The first time I was aware of any pain was when they gave me injections to numb me while they stitched me up.
I was sore afterwards for quite a few weeks but I healed very well.

Right I am now going to head to the shops and stock up on the supplies I need for a hospital bag.
Over the years I've had "feelings" I never voice them because they're usually about bad things, (like people dying, or operations going badly wrong.) But I'm starting to trust them more.
Over the past week I've had a growing feeling that this baby isn't going to wait till 40 weeks. It's not a bad feeling though, it will be okay, I just suspect it may be a few weeks early....
It may be wishful thinking though :o... it's been very very active and painful in the past few days, but if nothing else it's spurring me on to get prepared.

Congrats MrsEngel- I'm still getting used to calling my dp my husband and we got married a year ago!

I'm starting to feel pretty knackered now, 34 weeks tomorrow. But good news- I think baby turned yesterday and is now head down! She has been breech for the last 3 weeks and it was looking like she wouldn't move. So things look good for my home birth, and the head that was up in my ribs and causing loads of pain has moved out of the way. :-)

We still need to get the house finished- in the middle of some major DIY and trying to get it all done before the midwives visit. I keep having dreams where they turn up and tell us the house is too messy and we're not allowed to have the baby in it! And DH still hasn't found a job, so for the time being I'm trying to relax and ignore the fact that we're running out of savings.

Does anyone have advice on dealing with mother-in-laws? Mine is very odd- she seems to be pretending that we're not having a baby! She's perfectly nice when we see her but not once has she asked anything about the pregnancy, names, scans etc. If we mention it she goes quiet or changes the subject. We went to a family do the other day and it turned out she hadn't told any of her family we're expecting, which was a bit awkward!