September 2011 - a month or so to go, come here to share the joys and woes of the final stretch.

[100years]

Now I know the threads we were in weren't finished, but there were 3 threads for the September due dates, and I thought it would be nice to get everyone together and share their experiences.

Stats thread is here If you aren't on there, then get adding yourself.

Hopefully we can all get through the last stint together :)

I'm due 1st Sept, so one month to go, if the LO is punctual.

Glad u had better day feralgirl my friend is lovely MW at truro she has complained in past to management about lack of staff they have rostered on so in summer they get dragged onto labour ward with influx of holiday makers in cornwall overstretching staff &post natal care suffers. Hope u have gd experience on both wards this time. I had ropey postnatal care in Exeter last time as did my friends because labour ward was SO busy &it was Easter bank hol. This time I'm booked for Aug bank hol so not too hopeful!
bumpyhelfa I too kicked DH out of bed last wk We both sleeping better for it but I do miss him :-( but I keep waking up all hrs &then early 5am wide awake but in desparate need of nap at 11am/12pm lunchtime.

Hi everyone, how are you all this morning? We're doing 3 NCT classes this week, hopefully by the end of Saturday we'll be fully prepared haha! The NCT class we've had so far was really good, much more interactive than the hospital ones. How did you find your first class hazelnutlatte?

Yeah millie, hot and sticky is horrible. We've all the windows open to keep air flowing through the place.

hazelnutlatte, hope you enjoyed the NCT class, we only did the NHS labour day one.

Welcome Sumi :)

ssmile - this is the one I have, was recommended it by a few people, I've not used it a huge amount as I got it for Christmas which is when I found out I was pregnant, then I was too sick, then too dizzy, then too much hip pain! I will be on it as soon as I can when I've had LO and am able to.

feral, that's great that your MW team are all for HBs :)

Hi Lollyheart, hopefully you miss your birthdays, but if not, then it's an ace pressie.

Bumpy, headaches are horrible, I suffered terrible before I got pregnant, they've been a lot better while pregnant, but have gotten worse again in the last few weeks :(

Not bad Scarlett.

Got another growth scan this afternoon followed by consultant appointment :) Get to see LO again.

Also finally ordered the cot this morning :) Woohoo. Getting a bedside one, so can co-sleep without LO being in the actual bed and therefore no risk of rolling onto her or anything like that. :)

Managed to dye my hair yesterday, which might not sound like a big deal, but it was red before, and I was fed up of the red, got rid of the red, have dyed it a 'dark blonde' colour, although it looks darker than it should! I think it needs to be a shade or two lighter, but it's not a disaster :) My OH actually doesn't like the colour that much now! Gah, probably add some highlights to it soon, or just try and dye it lighter! But the hair dye smell has made my head a bit fuzzy today. That's quite normal for me.

Re the heat, I'm sleeping with nothing on, and the covers literally only covering my bum cheeks!

Ssmile, you'll have to PM me the name of your friend and I'll keep an eye out for her if I end up in Treliske (although I'm going to do my best to avoid it and stay at home; 12 days to go before I'm good for a HB!)

Think I might have to get rid of DH to the spare room too. DS had the horrors in the middle of the night last night so DH slept in with him and I had the whole of our bed to myself: bliss. And a lie-in this morning, I am so lucky

Sorry to hear about the headaches Bumpy. That's really rough and the last thing you need on top of all the other aches and pains. Hope the chiro does the job, if not then at least the end is in sight I suppose.

100years, a new dye job is so a big deal. I went to the hairdressers last week to have mine done as it's just about the only bit of my body that I feel in control of atm and who knows when I'll get a whole morning to just sit in a hairdressers again?

We don't actually have a spare bed, so I can't kick my OH out into the other room! Fortunately I manage to keep my side of the bed as I sleep on a doubled up duvet due to hip pain, which quite conveniently 'marks' my half of the bed and there is no encroaching like we used to have! Not that I don't enjoy sleeping next to him, I really do, but at the moment I NEED my space!

Yeah feral, I might go and get some highlights done at the hairdressers, but the reason I had started doing it red (originally purple) was because I was fed up of spending £x each 6 weeks getting the roots done when I could do it myself for next to nothing and it looked cool. But I'm bored with the dark now and want to be lighter again. How long this will last, I have no idea!

Hi everyone,

So nice to read all your posts and hear from others all in the same boat!

Just joining in the thread for the first time, I'm due on 16th September with our first baby and I am getting ridiculously excited now but also feeling the need to get very organised and I still have 2.5 weeks left at work and far too tired to do much in the evenings! :) I just want to be at home writing lists now - I think it will make me feel better - ha ha!

I went to my NHS breastfeeding class on Monday which was a really positive experience after not really knowing what to expect, it was very down to earth, encouraging and informative and has only made me more excited!

Hope you're all coping ok in the heat, I swear it makes me feel so much bigger!

Looking forward to hearing all your updates over the next few weeks as we get closer.

x

Hi sarahsea welcome.
I too been to hair dressers today had about 4inchs taken off oh er but thought I better get it tidy up while I have the time. I can still get it in a pony tail just! Think I gonna wait till next wk to dye the grey bits as it normally lasts 8wks so that should cover me over the birth &early wks of exhaustion :o

10yrs We don't have a spare room but a vcomfy sofa so my DH been on that lately. Just wish my DD would stop waking up mostly at 3/4am mostly monsters at the moment but think the heat affecting her too. She doesn't seem to wake up the same time as I need the loo that would be better lol!

Hi, am also sleeping on folded duvet and wouldn't mind adding another. Our NCT class isnot till 20Aug but really want DH to read some of the books or at least the 'dad's section' of them before then. Had a chat about the fact I was embarrased about the fact I will prob do all these awful things infront of him in labour ie bleeding, pooing etc. Have had reaccuring nightmare about screaming in pain while pushing at the birth and asking him 'what does he look like?' to be told I have done a big poo and not given birth yet - needless to say he pissed himself laughing but understands how I feel. Think the heat may be getting to me!

Arh candar sounds like vrational thinking but when it comes to it ur inhibitions just go &ur DH will be just fine. You can just ask him to stay at ur head end if you would prefer him not to be viewing the business end! It's your body and he is there to support you, I'm sure you will do just fine in the end. The MWs have seen it all before.
I ended up having ec-sec with my DD &despite having had many examinations but I really remember being shaved by MW on op table as embarrassing which is irrational with everything else going on!

Agree with everyone about getting hair done - had my roots done yesterday (at work - I work in a college, and one of my colleagues did it for me... I'm very lucky) and feel soooo much better.

Heat plus low iron making me feel very tired at the mo. Got growth scan tomorrow - looking forward to seeing LO... am thinking it'll be a lot different from the 20 week scan!!

100 years - how did your growth scan/appt go?

I finished classes a while ago (they don't run them in the Summer here!!) so probably forgotten most things ... particularly the breast feeding one, which I did at about 29 weeks... a tad early I thought!!

Think it's getting cooler towards weekend... HURRAH!!!

Hi Sarah. I think I'll be going to a breast feeding class soon, there are a few on at the hosp, every 2 weeks I think, and at my docs I think they meet every week so I could go to one of those as well/instead.

ssmile, my OH keeps threatening to sleep in the front room when I play about when it's bed time, I took to poking him in the back the other night and he said 'do you want me to go sleep in the front room?' Yes and no!

Oh candr, bad dreams, I am having weird ones at the moment, none about birth though! I too am worried about poking when in labour.

sebs, that's lucky about the work colleague doing your hair :) Yeah the growth scans are a lot different to the 20 week, amazing to see how big they are.

My growth scan today went well. LO is head down, and her head is now too low for them to measure properly, although not engaged just yet, she is almost there! With 4 wks and 1day left she is approx 6 lbs and 6 oz! OMG she'll be massive! 4 possibly 6 weeks of growing left. Saw her face and a side on shot, she stuck her tongue out twice! Was quite cool. Re the appointment afterwards, all good, BP still playing normal, but because I had a high BP 2 weeks ago the docs want me to see the MW next week for BP as opposed to waiting 2 weeks. That's fine, I'll be checked more.

Agree with you all about the hair. Been going for pedicures as a bit of a guilty pleasure at the moment too. Not normally the kind of girl to notice they need doing, but combine pelvic girdle pain and feet swelling and my feet have been exposed constantly in birkenstocks and flip-flops for the past couple of months!

100years, candr, I'm with you on the doubled over duvet. Find it really makes a difference to the pain and can sleep better again.

Off to go look around our local birthing center tomorrow with hubby. It's not in the grounds of a hospital (which is 20mins away) so still a bit unsure, but really like the idea of a water birth away from the labour ward in a more 'homely' environment.

The guy who cleans my windows told me not to worry as it will be cooler tomorrow - think he may have noticed I was struggling in the heat to peg out washing! haha

Hi all, just joining the thread, eagerly awaiting DC3 (DD1), due on my birthday, 21st September. I'm hoping she hangs on a week, as I don't want to either share my birthday or spend it in hospital, plus I need to get DS1 settled in at school.

I've been thinking about a pedicure too. Never had one before, but I really can't reach my feet in comfort, and how many sets of nail-clippers does a household need before I can reliably lay my hands on one when I want it!? I'm a Chef so stand up a lot, and wear flip-flops (when not in work) from March to October, so think I'd need to leave a generous tip for anyone who took on the job of sorting my feet out!

I remember with my first pregnancy there was time for massage, reflexology and general pampering - This time I'm not getting any of that! Have had a haircut though, which has made me more presentable at least.

Hoping for a waterbirth again this time, and nice and quick would be good! DS2 was only 4 hours from 2cm dilated to placenta and stitches, (TMI?) so not too much quicker or we might not make it hospital. DS1 was an 8 day saga of pre-eclampsia, induction and special care. I suppose this one could be different again.

Looking forward to hearing the first birth stories come in in the next few weeks. Good luck to us all for a smooth ride ans sleeping babies!

Hi ladies, I'm from the July thread and had my baby 5 weeks ago. I have just listed my maternity clothes on Ebay, lots of summery items for the hot weather, all at 99p starting price. I think they will go cheaply as the photos are rubbish but I don't have time to do better ones, with a newborn and a 2 year old. I'm also giving away a free baby sleepsuit with each purchase. If you're looking for any clothes, PM me and I'll give you the link. Jojo Maman, Topshop, Next etc. Good luck with your babies!

Hi everyone,

Agree with everything everyone else has said about the pampering- I went on a 'mother to be' spa day with my friend who is also due in Sept and it was lovely to have my skin taken care of and a much needed pedicure! I also had a good hair cut recently, didn't think I should leave it any later because of the heat - it is SO hot in there!

Had our breastfeeding NCT class last night, I was quite disappointed though as it was more about the benefits and why to BF, and very little about how. We understand the 'why' as we've attended hospital antenatal classes and BF specific NHS classes, so I had high hopes that the NCT one would be better at telling us 'how'. We only watched a 12 min video about how so I came home quite disappointed. The other 2 NCT classes we've attended have been great, really balanced and lots of useful info which I feel were much better than the hospital classes we went to. Glad yours was better Sarahseager. We have a full day on Sat with NCT which I'm really looking forward to, it'll be led by the usual leader who has done the 2 great classes, so I think I'll quiz her!

Im going to the hairdressers today to have my barnet cut and my highlights touched up - yippee!!!! Mum is coming over to look after DS1, so ive told her that while shes here, she can give me a pedicure and paint my nails, i live in my fit flops and havent seen my feet in weeks, cant imagine why shes not pleased at the prospect :)

Its raining here (nr sheffield) and seems cooler today, thank god, hope everyones well x

Its amazing the things u need 2 think about preparing b4 babys born-such as getting haircut! U never know how long it will b b4 u get another chance! Am about 2 start wrapping christmas presents (we dont live near family, will prob do the meet baby/ christmas run all in 1 go in november). Wrote christmas card list then realised i cant write them cuz dont know babs name yet or wether boy or girl!!

Thanks cara but i think its a bit late 2 start buying maternity clothes now with baby being full term in just over a week! :-)

Jesus, jimmijam, that really is organised! I remembered today that I need to stock up on those moist loo roll packets for the first few stinging loo trips after birth! And I need a seive and a sheet of polythene for the living room so we're all prepped for the HB.

Candr, don't worry about the loss of dignity in labour; you'll be much too busy to know/ care what your DH is doing! Mine sat in the corner, out of the way while I was giving birth to DS. I ask him questions about what was going on - e.g. did I do a poo? Was there lots of blood? Who was it that did such a crappy job of stitching me back together again? - and he has not got a clue which is probably just as well.

Glad the scan was good 100years

Scarlettphoenix, I'm not really sure that you can really be taught that much how to BF until you've actually got your new DC and your norks there together. We got shown a bit in my NHS ante-natal classes before I had DS but, in the abstract, it wasn't really very much help (other than the obvious tips like lots of skin-to-skin).

Much more useful if you've got supportive MWs in the first few hours post-natally I reckon, and decent BFing counsellors/ support groups where you live. IME, BFing is a bit like labour; all the preparation in the world won't actually teach you how to do it (and you've also got the unknown quantity of a NB who has to learn as well!)

The best thing I did was to make sure that I had emergency bottles and a couple of pouches of ready made formula at home so that, if it all went wrong, I could still feed DS. That took the pressure off I think and I was also incredibly lucky in that the two of us just took to it really quickly and easily with no wobbles/ pain/ difficulty at all.

Hello all, not posted on the bus for a while as it's been a bit up and down. First baby due 8th Sept, live on a remote Scottish island...

The first thing was that we went for a gender scan. Had been utterly convinced i was having a girl, only to find its a he! Irrational sadness for a few days but over that now. Couldn't really explain why i felt so sad now...We've got a name in mind and all sorted.

Finished work last week at 34+2 and went straight off for a booked scan. The placenta had been low-ish at 20 weeks and this was supposed to be a quick check up (very much a low risk pregnancy otherwise, we've been doing hypnobirthing and gearing up for a SVD). Very quickly it was clear that i have a major placenta praevia. So that's it, have to leave the island at 36 weeks, having a somewhat complicated section (there is a big anterior lobe to work around too) and people are throwing around discussion about major haemorrhage and risk of hysterectomy. Will probably have to happen between 37 and 38 weeks to reduce the risk of my labouring naturally, although they say that's unlikely to happen as baby can't descend or engage.

All the daft things we've worried about; finding the right pram, nappies, curtain fabric, and even gender, seem so stupid now. Just hoping to get through this with 1. A healthy baby boy 2. My own health so i can look after him and 3. A uterus.

So I guess I'm now due in August!

OMG, Glimmer, that's all pretty grim. Fingers crossed that everything is OK for you and your new son. You're being very brave about it!