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.

Not sure if anyone interested but I've been reading from library 'imperfectly natural baby& toddler' by janey lee grace (off Steve wright radio2 show) and its really gd read. As 2nd time parent I found it really grounded with out being too preachy from a lady with 4kids trying to do some "greener parenting".

Oh Feral, horrible to be in amongst all of that by the sounds, and that it's causing friction between you and OH. And well done for you DS :)

jimmi, no idea re leaving a baby breech. Sorry about the pains, maybe it's not just to do with CS scar, if baby is breech may be baby is lying on something.

Ssmile, I was waddling this morning, but I think it was just because I had only just got up :( Nothing to do with baby dropping. Got MW check tomorrow so will see if she's moved at all. Might have a look for that book.

Welcome cosmic :)

Well we were supposed to have been having the cot delivered today, specifically said today for delivery, at half 2 OH emailed me and said he had checked and it wasn't even down as dispatched, so I rang up the company, who then told me it was out of stock, and not due in for 2 weeks, with a 3-4 day wait for delivery so long as it gets in stock then, hmm, due in 3 weeks and 2 days, a little too close for comfort, and more than a little peed off that we weren't informed of the problem. We ended up cancelling, and have ordered a different one, being delivered next week. Was proper hormonal and upset/cross about it when I had been on the phone to them. Ah well. I think I was just frustrated, it is the very last thing we need, had got up early, not even had a shower in case I missed the buzzer etc etc and they hadn't even had the decency to let us know!

Been with my partner for 2 years today :) Been out for a lovely meal where LO decided to get mad in my belly!

Midwife check tomorrow as the consultants want my BP checked every week after the little blip I had a few weeks ago. But that's fine by me.

100yrs hope your cot turns up ok. Not vgd customer service from that company! Hope your BP stays ok, its gd they monitoring it. We had our DD1 when we had been together 2yrs :) we did the get married thing when she was 18mths figured if we could survive a non-sleeping baby we could do marriage :o hope u enjoy ur night out.

Ive got an mw check tomorrow too and my last scan is on the 16th aug so will get a rough idea of weight and position! Ive got a lot of pressure low down in my tummy and walking is tough if ive been sat or laid in the same position for a while, everything just aches!

It was DS1's 5th birthday yesterday, and after attended a wedding over the weekend, we're having a lazy day today.

Hope everyones well x

Ssmile, no not at all, not had great reviews about their service when things break, was really shocked we hadn't been informed it wasn't even coming that day/at all. New cot is from a diff company and a slightly different design but does the same thing. We do have a moses basket, so if LO decides to make an early appearance we have sleeping facilities :) The night out was lovely, :) we got engaged in November, but as yet haven't properly discussed when we will be actually getting married. There is the 'we need to actually buy a house' thing that will probably happen first.

Hope all goes well for you MrsS :) Have you had any other scans since the 20 week one, the growth scans are different, still see baby, but the image is of one bit as opposed to all of baby due to size. Enjoy your lazy day.

Hi everyone hope we are all feeling well and rested. Got my last scan tomorrow and am well excited to get the chance to bump one more time before he arrives! Also treated myself by booking a hair appointment for friday. Baby been moving alot lately and have been having mild pains today so trying not to get stressed out about them.

Happy anniversary 100 years! Hope cot arrives and the BP is good. I'm staying in all today in the hope our cot arrives today too!

Jojo - yes, I'm getting lots of movement and it's all pretty uncomfortable (although strangely comforting at the same time, I hate it when it goes quiet). Hope mild pains ok - could be uterus stretching?

I've got a midwife appt tomorrow - hoping she can tell me if the LO is heading south... getting more pressure lower down, but still being kicked in the ribs so confused! Stayed up most of the night, finding it diffiticult to get comfy when lying down. Getting Braxton Hicks really frequently now... especially evenings, so when going to bed the bump feels rock solid.

Got inlaws meeting my Dad this weekend for the first time (inlaws live away ... hence meeting for first time now) ... so going to do a bit of baking this afternoon... thought carrot cake would help matters!!! :) Hopefully that'll be a quieter afternoon than yesterday - spent in A&E as my Dad had fallen in the garden and it needed checking out. At least being on mat leave I could stay with him...

Hi team,
Feeling good today after surprisingly good sleep - especially given noise of helicopters and sirens (live in B'ham), all a bit horrid. Have cheered self up by ironing pile of baby grows - how can things have changed so much that ironing makes me happy??!
Lots of later scans reported - I've also had one at 32 and due another at 36 due to low placenta. Like 100years I am happy enough to be monitored more, though really hoping it moves and doesn't cause any concern by due date. Got to try not to spot 'parts' that may give away baby's gender as we've resisted this far (but secretly wouldn't mind knowing, ha ha).
Wrote my birth plan (for what it is worth) this week - showed it to DH who went a bit pale and promptly went to seek out his 'what to expect when she is expecting' book to look up 'episiotomy' :o
Have happy days all.
TP

Enjoy the hair appointment jojo :)

Thanks sebs, yeah the BH are weird, sometimes it's more uncomfortable than other times. I don't have any problems lying as flat as I always have, keep hearing people saying about propping up with pillows, apart from one between my legs and a memory foam one under my head that's it for pillows for me. Is your Dad OK?

tiddley, I'm in Brum too! Loads of sirens heard the last few nights when I've got into bed, more than I would normally hear. I cannot quite understand the ironing cheering you up, but know what you mean about things getting so bad. I think they are quite good at not lingering in areas if you don't want to know when you have a scan. I've not done a birth plan, maybe I ought to write some stuff down. Will ask the MW this afternoon when I see her.

Tiddley - hope placenta moves up for you. Good luck with scan.

100years - haven't done a birth plan yet either, but got a "double" appointment with midwife next week and she goes through the plan. Although, mainly it'll be whatever is safe and best at the time - no preconceived ideas until it happens really.

Thanks - Dad is ok, torn muscles and chipped finger bone but ok.

Hi all, and yes tiddly, I am feeling a bit like we're a team, gearing up to go into a big competition; that's a really good way of putting it!

How come you all get such late scans and I don't? I'm . I guess we don't get it offered to us in Cornwall as I never had one with DS either.

100years, I think you should name and shame your cot company so we can all avoid them!

My pushchair and nursing chair arrived this week but they're still in their boxes as the house is in complete turmoil. I really want to get them out and start building and fiddling but I'm just going to have to wait which is incredibly frustrating. If I deliver this week then we are screwed as the baby will have nowhere to sleep; we have a Miyo hammock but nowhere to hang the thing.

feralgirl - i think im in the same boat as you, 2 weeks ago my DH painted babys room and we went to buy an offcut of carpet (as room is tiny) and now its escalated into painting the whole house and on sat, having new carpets delivered and fitted through the whole house! As an consequence, the house is a tip, there are boxes of stuff in every room, there is paint all over the carpets and the babys furniture is still flat pack in the garage - im very fed up and cant wait next week so i can get back to normal, and start putting things in babys room!

100years - yes ive had about 5 scans now due to gestational diabetes and generally being a chunky monkey, though it is lovely to keep seeing him :-) I love trying to dechiper which bits of him we're looking at, DH always gets it wrong, saying "aww, look at his leg" when its an arm lol x

I've pasted my birth plan below - so sorry for long post, but just thought it might provide food for thought/comparison for those considering options. This is my first baby so I can't claim experience or offer advice!

Feral - the late scans are only 'cos all things are not quite right and they want to be a bit more cautious. I admit it is reassuring to see LO but if you haven't needed any further scans you can be happy that they weren't needed!

Gonna stop wittering as post is already long enough - hope plan helps (obviously won't necessarily be the same as all your preferences).

General:

DH to be present at all times with active role in labour - he is aware of and in agreement with the contents of this plan.
I would like to remain active and mobile whilst in labour as much as possible. I plan to use own birthing ball.

My preference is to make use of a birthing pool if one is available and for as long as this remains safe and helpful to progress.

Pain Relief:

I would like to use gas and air if I request it. I do not want Pethidine. I would prefer no epidural unless medically advised or necessary due to prolonged labour or caesarean.

I will consider/use other pain relief options as necessary, but would prefer these not to be offered unless I request them.


Intervention:
My preference is to avoid Syntocinon and my waters being artificially broken.

I would prefer to avoid constant fetal monitoring unless this is medically advisable.

If assisted delivery is necessary my preference would be ventouse over forceps. I am agreeable to an episiotomy if this is required to avoid tearing.

If the baby is in distress and options are limited my preference would be for a Caesarean than prolonged attempted natural labour.

Generally my preference is for minimal intervention for the safest possible outcome


Post-delivery

I would like skin to skin contact with baby as soon as possible after delivery. If I am too medically unwell for this then the baby should be passed to Matt for skin to skin contact. I would prefer baby to be passed to me upon delivery, after only urgent medical care.


Should I be separated from baby for any reason (e.g. emergency surgery) DH should stay with baby and not me.

I plan to have delayed medical management of third stage until cord has stopped pulsating.

I give permission for the baby to be given a Vitamin K injection.

Feeding

I would like to breast feed my baby as soon as possible after delivery and would like help and support from the midwife to achieve this.

sorry for weird formatting number-codes...

wow so much 2 read!
name and shame that cot company!!
had a letter from mothercare 2day saying the car seat cover for our travel system isnt fire retardant. we have the denim set, they'll be sending us a black replacement cover in the next 10weeks, glad i hadnt brought the stone coloured one as would prob b a bit peed off with a black replacement!
i also have midwife 2moro, can find out how baby is lying, feels 2 me he/she has been in the same position for the last few weeks with the kicking being in the same places
another mothercare buy was a rocking moses basket stand a few months ago, went to put it together a couple of days ago and theyd sent out the wrong size screws! have e-mailed them and should get the right ones within the next week i think
all thats left 2 buy/set up are nursing bras (which ive recently read r best 2 buy after babies born, as i have removable straps on maternity ones, will wait) and pack tops/jeans into hospital bag, which i plan to do when i go into labour as im still wearing them now and know i wont fit into old clothes for a while.
awaiting grocery shopping delivery-so much easier shopping online than dragging kids around and trying 2 carry the heavy bits, but have brought plenty for the freezers in preperation 4 not wanting 2 shop with a newborn-hope it all fits!!
ooh, hope no-one on here is near the center of brum or west bromwich. i used to live in warwickshire so have been watching closely, glad we moved away! 1 of the terrible things about it is that when those thugs r interviewed on the news and asked why theyre doing it they either dont seem 2 sure, have no answer or say something ridiculous like theyre getting their taxes back!? one lad yesterday on sky news even said 'im here cuz we've got free reign 2nite, the police cant do anything' crazy stuff!

Must go and peel spuds, got to stop MNing, leave new friends alone TP...

...we live about 10 mins from centre of Brum but in fairly nice suburb (not that this means anything). Glad not to be at work as colleagues have been sent home early again and 3 have had cars smashed (parked on side of road). All a bit scary really and now 3 peole have said to me 'what sort of world are you bringing that child into?', which upsets me. Have been browsing rightmove.com

Nursing bras are all ghastly. I bought some online and they have all gone back having tried them on and made my boobs look distinctly wrong. I can't even tell if they are too big or too small - just horribly wrong!!

bras if you large like me, the largest one at M&S only just fit figleaves are good and have 20% off until midnight tonight. Enter TWENTY at checkout. They include rtns label in then P&P I use them for most of my bras now. Just ordered 40gg gulp! I dread to think how big I be when milk comes in

Sebs, Glad your dad is OK, broken fingers are horrid and annoying, but they mend quickly. MW is coming next week to discuss 'birth plan' so that's good :)

feral, I've had to have growth scans because I'm overweight and they don't think the measurements with tape measures are that accurate for people of a higher weight. I'll have a think about the naming and shaming the company.

MrsS the one I have in 2 weeks will be the last one I have, then my actual baby will be here :)

Tiddley, great stuff there, a lot sounds similar to my wishes, however as someone who is overweight I have no choice in the constant monitoring, I will however be requesting the wireless monitor if they are available.

Jimmi, 10 weeks to wait for a replacement cover for the seat??? FFS that's ridiculous. Oooh yeah I need to buy bras but I'm waiting a week for that. We're not in the centre of Brum, thankfully, like tiddley in a nice suburb (not that I know which one she is in :) ) We have had our shopping delivered by Ocado since last year, it's fantastic, I will very occasional go to the supermarket as I like to see the produce in the shop and get new ideas for meals, but I haven't been for ages.

I'm glad I'm off on maternity leave, as I work in the emergency services, it's been hellish at work in the passed few days.

Ssmile, I'm a HH already before my milk comes in, was a FF when I got pregnant, grew to a HH by 12 weeks and not changed since then, I have NO idea what will happen in a few weeks time.

Well, been to the mw, BP and urine fine and clear :) Which is good. Drumroll please?? She is now engaged :) 2/5 engaged approx, at the moment lying in LOA presentation which is good :) I patted my tum and said 'good girl' Lets hope she decides she likes it there and stays put. MW coming to our house next week to discuss all things birth related and do another BP check then. I can't believe I'm officially considered full term tomorrow!

TP - that's a really good birth plan, and has given me a few things to think about. Thanks for posting it :)
Jimmijam - we too had the same letter from Mothercare and ... I got the stone coloured pram and car seat!! As long as it's safe not too bothered about colour though (we went for the stone one as it was £60 less!)
I've just started online supermarket shopping and am now wondering why I didn't do this years ago! No more lugging heavy items... bliss!
Mrs S/Feral - hope your building/decorating all gets done soon... we've just finished ours too and it's such a good feeling to be able to put things back to where they should be. Cot has just arrived so that can go up in the new (and tiny) LO's room tonight... YEH! :)
Bras - going to get measured again next week (37 weeks - they said to hold on until then for nursing bras). Just feel that they shoot the prices up for maternity/nursing bras as they know you'll be changing sizes through being PG so going to try and exist on as few as possible!! But will check out figleaves...
To everyone living in the big cities - hope you're not affected by what's happening. Keep safe. I've also heard/seen a few comments about what kind of world this is to bring a baby into but there seems to be riots every decade so its no different to the world of the last few decades...

100years- excellent news from your midwife visit - I'm hoping for similar news tomorrow!! (Only a few days behind you... full term on Monday!)

And... looking at your post, made me check the letter from Mothercare ... I thought they'd be sending the replacement cover in 10 days... Argghh, it does say 10 weeks... PG brain not reading letters correctly...

Yup 10 weeks, id imagine they have 2 get a bulk order made. Ooh my 1st sainsburys order of groceries just arrived, the delivery driver was sooo lovely :-)
Tho i love being nosey on there i doubt/hope t
heres no need 4 a housemove.
100 years, a horrid time 4 the emergancy services, esp as they'll still have all of the usual calls 2 deal with 2!!

Golly, my jugs can't compete! I have been v bad and kept using my pre-maternity (wired) bras as no real change. Hope I've done the right thing - to be honest I could do without and often do when chilling out around the house. Was PROMISED big boobs throughout pregnancy, but it seems not to be!
100years are you in Harborne? It would be lovely if you were and were even at our NCT classes - but you are a few more weeks progressed than I so I expect it's wishful thinking...
Yay for grocery deliveries - have you browsed the baby section and got prematurely excited about the prospect of buying relatively mundane items? I have, but then I have already confessed excitement from ironing.
Engaged babies - well done LOs! Stay put and try not to bounce on mummy's bladder...
Sleep well all :)

Thanks for sharing the birth plan Tiddley. I particularly like the part about DH staying with baby if you have to be separated. Will include that in my plan too.

Had visit from the MW yesterday and looks like I'm all set for the home birth. Pool should arrive next week. Feral, my MW said that because I'm having a HB, I'll have to have a scan at 37 weeks to check the position of the baby, so they might get you to have one too. Baby seems to be in the right position.

Thanks for sharing the birth plan Tiddley. Helping me prepare mine.

Have my 34th week scan tomm as well !

My DH did skin to skin with our DD as I had emerg C-sec &was unable to hold her for 2hrs post birth. He really enjoyed the experience despite thinking he would feel like a numpty when we discussed it pre-birth. I've put that request in my birth plan again as having planned c-sec this time.