December 2011 - She Canna Take Much More, Cap'n...

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Betwee 8 and 12 weeks to go...and we're giving it all we've got!

bluebells Birth/breastfeeding pillows can be prohibitively expensive. If you have a local budget soft furnishing shop go in and ask for a V pillow. Just as usefull and my last one cost £5 with a pillowcase thrown in:)

honey I think last time the midwifes visited me every day for the first 6 days, then after that the HVs took over and visited me every couple of days for a while - they only came for about 15 mins a time and just checked baby/ asked about the afterbleeding. Also don't count on your gestation being the same as others in your family, my mother was 2 weeks late with 3 out of 4 of us (1 on due date) , but DD turned up 2.5 weeks early.

Bluebellsinthespring, I must admit I did buy a "My Brest Friend" (disgustingly twee name, IMO, not to mention misspelled!), and it was great, but it was also wildly expensive, and I was a nervous first-timer! I got a year's usage out of it, though, and will use it again now, so not too bad.

However, it is very useful to have an inflatable pillow in your change bag, such as a bath pillow or a camping one from Millets or an outdoor shop. Deflated, it folds up in the change bag, but inflated, it helps reconcile you to feeding in all sorts of positions while out and about, without cricking yourself out of shape! (I had this, but the valve was very stiff, and I often felt light-headed after inflating it, so maybe try something else.)

I didn't have a doctor visit me at home last time, is that something they do now or just in certain areas?

I think my MW visits were day 1 home from hospital, day 5 to do heel prick test and then handed over to HV for first post birth weigh in at day 10. I then had extra HV visits until DS regained his birth weight at 3 weeks.

It's just my fingers that have swollen, and my knuckles ache when I clench my fists.

Bluebells frequent feeding (minimum of 8-12 times in 24 hours) is the best way of preventing mastitis. As much rest as you can manage to get and making sure that you aren't wearing any bras that don't fit as compressing your breasts in a funny way could cause a blocked duct which can lead to mastitis. If you do get mastitis, as unpleasant as it is, it does usually clear up very fast with antibiotics, breast massage, frequent feeds and rest.

Had a lovely swim, DDs were very impressed with my handstands...baby is transverse now, which I guess it at least a bit closer to head down!

Had to cut our visit to PIL short as FIL started making sexist comments, which I just won't put up with. And I'm now on the phone to the most incompetent bank in the known universe.

I had a really good HV, so have no concerns about her coming to visit. Not sure about getting red book in advance etc. I was given it at the hospital on the day she was born last time. She was in SCBU for the first week, and we then had a couple of MW visits when we got home, followed by HV a week or so later. I didn't have a home visit from a Dr - just saw them for 8 week check-up. Maybe it's just a bit different depending on where you live?

Bluebells I had a V-shaped cushion and it was really good. Helps boost baby up so you can BF comfortably, and you can put the two ends together and make a little nest for baby to sleep in too. I think mine was from mothercare, but you can also get from Argos etc. pretty cheaply

msbuggy what a nuisance about your FIL, we get racist comments from MIL occasionally despite her knowing we don't appreciate DS hearing them.

My HV is lovely. Last time we got 3 home visits from the MW before being handed over to the HV at around 7 days. I didn't get a home visit from my GP but that might be because I had to go and see him the day after I got home, I had an itchy light-sensitivity rash caused by childbirth, can't remember what he called it though!

Laptop arrived so it's been a very good day. I might spend the night watching x-factor and wrapping Christmas presents.

Spent 5 hours in library working. Well done me! Now am going to cook, relax and watch a movie I think.

Sorelip That sounds a bit like how my ankles feel. If you're at all concerned give the midwives a call in morning. They, better than us, can probably just reassure you tat it's something daft like water retention or something equally as simple, but will be better placed to ask pertinent related questions:)

Anyone online tonight? I've been admitted to hospital to keep in overnight for observation midwife and jr doc think my cervix is 2cm dilated but registrar very brusquely said he couldnt see it. Lost some fluid yesterday and today some stabbing pains and baby movements much reduced over last couple of days. Tomorrow will see consultant and have a scan to check fluid levels.
here's hoping it's all just precautionary and I will be home soon. And you all know how unprepared i've been - have half a hospital bag and mostly baby stuff! luckily had two contact lenses in the bottom of my handbag from having to work late recently but no toiletries, slippers, change of clothes!!
Just hope it doesn't affect my chances of trying a home birth as I hate being in the hospital so very, very much - everyone is so lovely (except registrar - poor jr doc apologised for him as soon as he left the room!)

oh no Tyel How shit to have a crappy brusque registrar. Hope all is okay.

but good that jr doc is nice! I hope everything is okay. Try not to worry. Easy to say I know!

Hi Tyel, I'm on too.
Sending you lots of unmumsnetty hugs & positive vibes; hope you have an ok-ish (as ok as it can be!) night!
Glad everyone is lovely, aside from registrar..want me to squirt some boob milk in their tea for you?

Have a good night, Tyelperion, and don't panic. Try to get some sleep and dream the baby into submission - no coming out tonight!

Thanks guys - nice to hear from you as they kicked DH out so no one to hold my hand. Luckily synched iPhone with laptop today do I have the hypno cd on here - will put on relaxation and try to breathe.
Feeling lots of stabby pains on top of bump - hope it's nothing bad

Will come back and update in the am - now for some deep breathing to calm myself down! Luckily marie mongan sounds just like my grandmother with her new england accent (saying "fo-werd"for "foreward" etc) so it is comforting.

Good luck for tomorrow tyel, hope the scan is reassuring and you get back home v soon. Xxx

Well hypnobirthing disc got me 4.5 hours' sleep but I woke up dying with hunger and mouth like the Sahara - not only is it like a sauna in here (was not expecting the heat, my first ever night in a hospital ward in my life!) but we left the house before i was hungry for dinner and have no snacks or anything (see previous posts re disorganisation and lack of hospital bag!!) there is a clock somewhere in the bay next to me ticking so loudly, v annoying.

Lovely mw came round to check on me and I am still feeling the stabby pains - it really feels like a combination of stabs, bee stings and pulled muscles but no idea if they are BH or not. Bump doesn't go hard though (or any harder than usual) and pain is constant not in intervals. Now she is bringing me a cup of tea in bed, what service!! Will tell DH to bring them some blueberry muffins tomorrow am.

Moral of story - get those hospital bags together girls, bring lipgloss for parched lips, and eat before you head to the hospital!!

tye enjoy your brew! :o hope youre feeling ok in there!

honey ... I just haven't been hormonal during pregnancy lol, I think I am now which is why OHs attitude is annoying me, but to be honest I think I'd still be annoyed pre preg! And if I comment about being tired I get a reply about how he has been in work for 12 hours, feel like he is getting at me. I feel bad also with all the other stuff he has going on with his sis and his dad... was looking forward to spending the day with him today as he is off but he is going to his dads because 'he is feeling down and needs cheering up', feel selfish because all I thought was - what about how I'm feeling!

Ooo rant there sorry lol

blue, mopsy thanks :) for the thoughts

sorelip I have everything crossed for you x

tye really hope it is all sorted now. How crap that registrar sounds! Glad that you got some sleep though, hope you're home today.

tyelperion hope the scan is all ok and that they let you home today. FWIW my sisters waters broke at 32 weeks. She was given steroids and had to go in every couple of days to check for infection but managed to last another 2.5 weeks before she went into labour. Her DD spent one night in SCBU then came home after 3 days.

tye sorry to hear about your admission. Hopefully they will have some good news for you today and let you home. If its any reassurance I was 3cm dilated at 25 weeks and held on for another 5 and a half before DS was born. Maybe they will sign you off work and put you on bedrest at home? At least that would eliminate your work worries!

Tyel thinking of you. Hope all is okay x